Fernando Gaviria lost his bracelet at training camp in December. Not a big deal on the face of it, but it was a gift from his girlfriend – "the woman who gets me out of bed in the morning to train". He would raise his right arm and kiss it every time he won a race, which ended up being quite often in 2016.
The loss of the bracelet has not been followed by a loss of fortune, however, and the Colombian has already racked up two victories – having to kiss a bare wrist – in the first week of racing of his 2017 season at the Vuelta a San Juan. His meteoric rise to the top of the sport shows no sign of abating.
Gaviria burst into the mainstream cycling conscience at the Tour de San Luis two years ago when, racing for a Colombian national team, he beat none other than Mark Cavendish on two occasions. Quick-Step were so impressed they gave him a stagiaire deal later that year – during which he won a stage at the Tour of Britain – and then handed him his first pro contract.
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He did not disappoint, with his 2016 being one of the most staggering neo-pro campaigns in recent memory. There were no fewer than seven wins, three of which came at WorldTour level and one of which featured one of the most memorable feats of the year as he did a smash and grab job in the final kilometre of Paris-Tours.
All that while focusing enough on the track to become world champion again in the Omnium and finish 4th in the Olympics.
"I believe in Colombia there's the mindset that you have to have an adaption period when you go to Europe. But that doesn't seem to good to me because if we want to win we have to do it from the first season we arrive in Europe," says Gaviria, sitting down with Cyclingnews and a small group of Spanish journalists at the Vuelta a San Juan.
It's no secret I want to wear the pink jersey
Leaving a mark
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