Former UAE Team Emirates rider Cristian Camilo Munoz dies following infection of knee injury

Colombian cyclist Cristian Camilo Munoz has died aged 30 (Nu Colombia/Instagram)

Colombian cyclist Cristian Camilo Munoz has died after a knee injury he sustained in a fall during a race became seriously infected.

The 30-year-old crashed at the Tour du Jura, a French stage race, last Saturday, before heading with his Nu Colombia Continental team to another race, the Vuelta Asturias.

On Tuesday he was admitted to hospital in Vallodolid, where the infection was diagnosed. His condition worsened overnight and he passed away on Friday morning.

His team released a statement on Friday reading: “The Nu Colombia cycling team is deeply saddened to announce the death of its rider, Cristian Camilo Munoz, 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.

"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."

The entire team withdrew from the Vuelta Asturias ahead of stage two as a result. Spanish outlet La Nueva Espana reported that the race organisers held a minute’s silence before Friday’s stage, with the race director’s car set to be adorned with a black ribbon.

The team, who Munoz joined in 2024, later posted a further tribute to social media. It read: “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.”

Munoz turned pro in 2017 and raced in his native Colombia for two years before he joined UAE Team Emirates, a WorldTour outfit best known for being the home of . He spent three years there before moving back to Colombia in 2022, racing for EPM before joining Nu Colombia two years ago.