Colombian rider Cristian Camilo Muñoz has tragically died after falling in the Tour de Jura.
The Tour du Jura, an annual one-day road bicycle race held annually in France, took place last week with approximately 120 riders divided into 20 teams competing.
Among them was Nu Colombia rider Muñoz, who suddenly fell during his stint in the race on Saturday, injuring his knee.
Following the fall, which initially appeared to have only caused a minor injury, the 30-year-old travelled with his teammates to Spain ahead of the Vuelta Asturias race.
However, his health suddenly took a turn for the worse and he was admitted to hospital in Valladolid on Tuesday where staff later diagnosed him with an infection.
Tragically, Muñoz's condition only worsened over this week and on Friday morning he passed away.
"The Nu Colombia cycling team is deeply saddened to announce the death of its rider, Cristian Camilo Muñoz, which occurred in the last few hours in Europe as a result of medical complications arising from the accident he suffered last Saturday during the Tour du Jura in France," Nu Colombia announced in a team statement.
"Following the crash, Cristian was initially treated at a medical centre, where he received treatment for an injury to his left knee. Once the team arrived in Oviedo, Spain, Cristian was examined again at a clinic, where medical staff detected a difficult-to-treat infection that required further specialist care.
"In the last few hours, his condition deteriorated and, despite all the efforts of the medical team, Cristian passed away on Friday morning."
Muñoz started his career as a pro racer in 2017, competing in Colombia for two years, finishing seventh at the under-23 Giro d'Italia in 2018, before joining the WorldTour with UAE Team Emirates the following season.
Racing alongside Tadej Pogačar, Alexander Kristoff, Jasper Philipsen, and Dan Martin he remained with UAE until moving back to Colombia in 2022, joining EPM.
Two years later he made his switch to Nu Colombia, who paid tribute to their former racer in a separate club statement.
"Today we bid farewell to Cristian Muñoz, a cyclist who turned every kilometre into a show of passion, discipline and heart.
"His story doesn't stay here and reminds us that dreams are pedalled every day, even when the road heads uphill. We are left with his example, the goals he achieved, and the inspiration he instilled in everyone who saw him race.
"To his family, friends and all those who admired him from near or far, we send you all our deepest condolences and strength at this time."
Nu Colombia also confirmed that the entire team has withdrawn from the Vuelta Asturias ahead of stage 2.
But, with the race going ahead, local newspaper La Nueva España has reported that a minute of silence was held to pay tribute to Munoz ahead of the second stage, with the race director's car also displaying a black ribbon.
Ben McCrum