The Colombian rider already won two stages in the Tour de California dispute and this year could specify historical records in his second year in cycle route

Colombia is a land of great climbers. In all the cycling history of the coffee nation, it has always been the men of climbing mountains who have achieved worldwide recognition. However, the emergence of a athletes like Fernando "El Misil" Gaviria, expert of the speed tests, has radically changed the paradigms and has surprised a lot of people, considering that he can fight the throne of the Slovak route Peter Sagan.

Leer en español: Fernando Gaviria: Un 'Misil' colombiano que podría destronar a Peter Sagan en 2018

The native of Antioquia, Colombia, who began his career in track pedaling and managed to be crowned in several opportunities world champion in various categories, has been giving a leap of quality. Beyond having already won stages in races of three weeks, a fact that leads to a career ladder within the discipline, he seems to have no limits at the moment of continuing to achieve stunning results.

In a season that barely accumulates four months, Gaviria has shown what he is made of. A victory in the Vuelta a San Juan, three consecutively wins in "Colombia Oro y Paz", and two more in the Tour of California, lead to think that his campaign promises; especially, because in the middle he had to live a clavicle lesion in the middle of the Adriatic Tyrrhenian, from which he left without any difficulty.

Now, is the missile the best sprinter of this 2018? Can he beat the ultra favorites in the most important races of the season? The answers to these questions will come over time. Although it is good to observe some of its greatest rivals and evaluate the possibilities of Gaviria.

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Peter Sagan

The Slovakian Peter Sagan is considered the best cyclist in the world; in fact, he is currently a three-time world champion, and he is possibly the most clear rival of the Colombian for this year. They have not face each other in road races; for example, last year, the Colombian ran the Giro while Sagan made the Tour. In this sense, this confrontation will be an unknown

Mark Cavendish

For many, the best speed cyclist of all time is Mark Cavendish. The British, who has won everything at a professional level, will be another of those hard bones to crack for Gaviria. However, although Cavendish seems to be going through a good time and has even won a stage in the Tour de Dubai, the years do not pass in vain and he seems to be entering the downline of his career, and that is something that could come to be beneficial for the Colombian this year.

Marcel Kittel

Finally, the most complete sprinter of the 2017 season, winner of four stages in the last Tour de France and also former partner of Gaviria in the Quick-Step, is undoubtedly another one of those men difficult to overcome in this campaign. For specialists of the discipline, Kittel has all the tools to continue winning the most desired tests in 2018. However, being now in the team Katusha, he will have less support to deal with the packaging, situation that could also give an extra point to Gaviria, who if everything goes well, will give many joys to his people throughout this 2018.

For now, it remains to wish him the greatest success for what is left of the calendar. Everything seems to be in the right direction to achieve a historic season that is consolidated within the celebration of the Tour de France. It only remains that fortune accompanies him, stays away from injuries, and can squander his talent with the particular joy that only he knows.

Latin American Post | Freddy González
Translated from “ Fernando Gaviria: Un 'Misil' colombiano que podría destronar a Peter Sagan en 2018”