Cristian Camilo Munoz, a Colombian professional cyclist, has died after suffering an injury to his knee during a crash at the Tour du Jura last weekend.
The 30-year-old, racing for the NU Colombia team, was taken to hospital after crashing out of the race in France last Saturday.
Munoz required 20 stitches to his left knee and was able to leave the hospital last Sunday night to link up with his teammates in Spain for another race on Thursday.
However, Munoz was taken to another hospital in Valladolid on Tuesday because of the swelling in his knee.
After being re-evaluated, medical staff detected a serious infection that required urgent care. However, Munoz’s condition worsened and despite the efforts of the medical team, he died on Friday morning.
In his final Instagram post on Tuesday, Munoz wished happy birthday to his partner Angela.
Nu Bank president Raul Mesa said: ‘I am very saddened by the death of Cristian Camilo Munoz. We were notified that he passed away at 5:00 a.m. (Colombia time).
‘He had an accident on Saturday (April 18, 2026) while we were racing the Tour de Jura (France). He suffered a very large wound to his knee and required stitches.
‘We took him to Spain, and Dr. Xavier Rodriguez assessed his condition. They began treating him with antibiotics, but his leg swelled up, so they took him to the hospital in Oviedo. He was treated in the emergency room, but they kept him there because he didn’t appear to be well enough.’
Munoz was also a former teammate of four-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar at UAE Team Emirates.
A statement from Munoz’s team NU Colombia read: ‘The Nu Colombia cycling team is very saddened to report the death of its rider Cristian Camilo Munoz, which occurred in the last few hours in Europe as a result of medical complications stemming from the accident he suffered last Saturday during the Tour du Jura in France.
‘After the fall, Cristian was initially treated at a medical centre, where he received treatment for a wound to his left knee. Once the team arrived in Oviedo, Spain, Cristian was re-evaluated at a clinic, where the medical staff detected a difficult-to-treat infection that required further specialized care.
‘In the last few hours, his clinical condition worsened, and despite all the efforts of the medical team, Cristian passed away on Friday morning.’
The Colombian Cycling Federation also paid tribute: ‘With deep pain and dismay, the Colombian Cycling Federation and its Executive Committee mourn the death of the talented Boyacá athlete Cristian Camilo Munoz Lancheros.
‘His departure leaves an immense void in Colombian cycling and in the hearts of all those who had the privilege of knowing him. Cristian will be remembered for his dedication, discipline and human quality inside and outside the peloton.’
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