Colombian · La Ceja, Colombia · Born 19 August 1994Fernando Gaviria is a Colombian professional cyclist and two-time track world champion who became the first Colombian to win a bunch sprint at the Tour de France and to wear the race's yellow jersey.
Fernando Gaviria's four stage wins at the 2017 Giro d'Italia on his Grand Tour debut — the most by any first-time Giro rider since 1990 — announced a sprinter who had already won two UCI Track World omnium titles and would go on to claim the opening stage of the 2018 Tour de France as the first Colombian to win a bunch sprint there. He excelled on the track as a junior, winning gold medals in the omnium and madison at the 2012 UCI Junior Track World Championships, and went on to win the senior omnium world title in both 2015 and 2016, also finishing fourth in the event at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Gaviria turned to the road with Etixx-Quick Step at 22, and made an explosive Grand Tour debut at the 2017 Giro d'Italia, winning four sprint stages — the most by a rider in his Giro debut since Uwe Raab in 1990 — and the points classification. He backed that up in 2018 by winning the opening stage of the Tour de France on his debut in the race, becoming the first Colombian ever to win a bunch sprint at the Tour and to wear the yellow jersey, ending a 15-year wait since countryman Víctor Hugo Peña's 2003 stint in the leader's jersey. Gaviria went on to accumulate seven career Giro d'Italia stage wins and further sprint victories across the Tour of Oman, Paris-Tours, and other major races, later riding for teams including UAE Team Emirates and Movistar. Nicknamed 'Quetzal splendente' after the colourful South American bird, he is the brother of fellow track cyclist Juliana Gaviria, and remained one of the peloton's most reliable sprinters into his thirties.
Becoming the first Colombian to win a bunch sprint and wear the yellow jersey at the Tour de France
How They Played
Explosive sprinter with a track cycling background, known for a powerful, well-timed finishing kick
Lasting Impact
One of the finest sprinters Colombia has produced, breaking new ground for a cycling nation traditionally known for climbers
Career Honours
- First Colombian to win a Tour de France bunch sprint and wear the yellow jersey (2018)
- 2x UCI Track World Champion, Omnium (2015, 2016)
- 7x Giro d'Italia stage winner
- Giro d'Italia points classification winner (2017)
- Paris-Tours winner (2016)
Colombian Athletes