Munoz, who raced for the NU Colombia team, suffered a knee injury during a crash at the Tour du Jura in France last Saturday. He was taken to a hospital, where he received 20 stitches to his left knee. Despite the severity of the wound, he was discharged on Sunday night and traveled to Spain to join his teammates for another race scheduled for Thursday.
On Tuesday, Munoz was admitted to a hospital in Valladolid due to swelling in his knee. Medical staff detected a serious infection that required urgent care, but his condition worsened and he died on Friday morning. The specific infection has not been disclosed.
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.
Raul Mesa, president of Nu Bank, said in a statement: "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 while we were racing the Tour de Jura. 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."
The NU Colombia team issued a statement saying: "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 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 mourned his death, stating: "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."
Munoz was a former teammate of four-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar at UAE Team Emirates. In his final Instagram post on Tuesday, he wished happy birthday to his partner Angela. The exact cause of the crash and whether other riders were involved remain unclear.
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.