A Star is Born

Fernando Gaviria winning a stage in the 2015 Tour de San Luis.
(Photo: Cycling News)

This was supposed to be Nairo Quintana's Giro de Italia - and it still may be. Winner of the 2014 Giro, Quintana and last year's winner Vicenzo Nibali were this year's favorites. And Quintana may yet win, but he needs to make up close to three minutes against race leader Dutchman Tom Dumoulin, an expert at time trials. With four mountain stages remaining, Quintana might do it. On Sunday, he shaved nine seconds off of Dumoulin's lead. (On Tuesday, he made up most of that time against an ill Dumoulin. However, the last stage is a time trial.)

But the Colombian who has already earned himself a memorable place in this year's Giro is sprinter Fernando Gaviria, a 22-year-old from Antioquia riding with Quick-Step who has already raced to victory in four stages of this year's Giro, a record for a Colombian.

Along the way, he also became a web sensation by riding a wheelie during the Giro's stage 15.

Gaviria first won prominence in the 2015 Tour de San Luis, and went on for more wins in the Tour of Britain, Tour la Provence and the Track Cycling World Championships, among other competitions.

But for Gaviria, like Quintana, the best is likely yet to come.

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours