As with his aforementioned compatriots Nairo Quintana and Carlos Bentacur, Sky’s Rigoberto Uran certainly lived up to Colombia’s proud climbing history in 2013. Uran signed off at Sky – ahead of a move to Omega Pharma-Quickstep next year – with a number of impressive climbing performances, not least during the Giro d’Italia where he finished second overall. Uran had already performed a stellar job for team leader Sir Bradley Wiggins before Wiggo was forced to withdraw with injury. And Uran took up the mantle of leader in style, having already blasted to victory in the stage up to Montasio with a stunning solo attack.

He could arguably have finished even closer to overall winner Vincenzo Nibali too, had he not been forced to sacrifice himself when Wiggins was struggling shortly before his abandonment. The Colombian’s form was not just restricted to the Giro either – he also bagged a fourth place on stage two of the Vuelta and was narrowly beaten in a two-up sprint after attacking on stage 16. He also showed form earlier in the season, finishing fourth on Alto do Malhao at the Volta ao Algarve and ninth on Vallter 2000 in Catalunya, leading many to believe he could lead OPQS’s charge at the Giro next year.