Fernando Gaviria Rendón secured international recognition at the 2015 Tour de San Luis, where the young Colombian sprinter defeated former world champion Mark Cavendish in two separate sprint finishes. This unexpected performance prompted immediate interest from professional road cycling teams and cemented his reputation as one of the most capable fast-finishers to emerge from South America.
Early Track Success and Professional Rise
Before transitioning to the professional road circuit, Gaviria established himself as a force in track cycling. He secured gold in both the omnium and madison events at the 2012 UCI Juniors Track World Championships. His momentum continued in 2014 when he claimed the under-23 Pan-American road race title. His breakthrough on the global stage arrived during the 2015 track World Championships, where he outmaneuvered Elia Viviani in the final points race to claim the rainbow jersey.
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Following his impressive showing at the 2015 Tour de San Luis, Gaviria joined Etixx–Quick-Step as a stagiaire. His tenure with the squad saw significant milestones, including four stage wins at the 2017 Giro d'Italia, where he became the first Colombian rider to reach that tally in a single edition of the race. During the 2018 Tour de France, he won the opening stage and wore the Yellow Jersey, though a collarbone injury at the Tour of Turkey eventually curtailed his progress that season.
Transitions and Later Career
Gaviria signed with UAE Team Emirates for the 2019 season, securing wins at the UAE Tour and the Giro d'Italia. Despite subsequent victories at the Tour de Pologne and the Tour of Oman, his performance levels fluctuated, leading to criticism from management. He later moved to the Movistar Team for 2023, where he earned stage wins at the Tour de Romandie and Vuelta a San Juan. As of 2026, he rides for the UCI ProTeam Caja Rural–Seguros RGA.
Personal and Legal Matters
Known to cycling enthusiasts by the nickname "Quetzal splendente" due to the vibrant colors associated with his world titles and Giro d'Italia jerseys, Gaviria is the brother of track cyclist Juliana Gaviria. Outside of his sporting career, he faced legal challenges in November 2025, receiving a suspended prison sentence following a conviction for driving while intoxicated in Monaco.
Fast facts
- Born: 19 August 1994, La Ceja del Tambo, Colombia
- Primary Discipline: Road and track racing
- Current Team: Caja Rural–Seguros RGA
- Nickname: Quetzal splendente
- 2012 Achievements: Omnium and madison gold, UCI Juniors Track World Championships
- 2017 Milestone: First Colombian to win four stages in a single Giro d'Italia
- 2018 Tour de France: Won stage 1 and wore the Yellow Jersey
- Legal Status: Suspended prison sentence for DUI in Monaco, 2025
Questions readers ask
Which team did Gaviria join after Movistar?
He joined the UCI ProTeam Caja Rural–Seguros RGA for the 2026 season.
How many world titles does he hold in the omnium?
He successfully defended his title to win gold in the omnium at both the 2015 and 2016 UCI Track Cycling World Championships.
