Renato Iturrate

Renato Iturrate was born in Los Ángeles, Biobío Province, Chile in 1922. Though his father died when he was an infant, he spent his early years in Los Ángeles until the age of seven when he was sent to live with his aunt in Santiago. He attended high school at Liceo Valentín Letelier de Santiago but ultimately did not complete, leaving to help his brother in his job of transporting mining materials. He also served in the military upon turning 18. After being introduced to cycling through a group of his brother’s friends, Iturrate quickly realized his proficiency and started to compete in local races. In 1941, he worked assembling bicycles for Club Cóndor and started racing for them the following year, winning his first race. He remained with Cóndor for five years, later joining the Green Cross club.

In 1948, Iturrate set a national record of 2-26:00 in the 100 kilometres time trial, which would go on to stand for more than 55 years. This feat secured his place on the Olympic road race squad, alongside Exequiel Ramírez, Mario Masanés and Rogelio Salcedo. Later that same year, he also set a record time in the Santiago-Rancagua race, 2-15:00. After briefly advancing to the professional ranks, Iturrate retired from competitive cycling in 1952 and later worked as a taxi driver. He married Chilean track athlete and two-time Pan American games gold medalist Eliana Gaete and has three children.