Martín Rodríguez

One of the best Colombian cyclists of the 1960s and 1970s, Martín Rodríguez won more than a dozen medals at major international competitions on both the road and track, along with winning the Vuelta a Colombia on four occasions. In 1961 Rodríguez won his first stage at the Vuelta a Colombia, followed by two a year later where he also finished second overall in the general classification. His breakout year at his home race was 1963, with him winning the general classification, along with six stages along the way. Rodríguez retained his title the following year, also winning nine individual stages. After finishing second in 1965, he then won back-to-back in 1966 and 1967, winning eight and four stages, respectively. Rodríguez also had success at the Vuelta al Táchira in Venezuela, winning the stage race in 1966, 1968, and 1971.

Rodríguez won multiple medals at both the Central American and Caribbean Games and the Pan American Games. At the former he won six golds, including three at the 1970 edition in Panamá. At the latter he won gold in the 4,000 metres individual pursuit in 1967, followed by two track golds in 1971. Rodríguez also competed at the Olympics in 1964 and 1968, coming ninth in both the road race and the individual pursuit at the Mexico City Games. His long career continued for several more years, which saw him win a stage at the 1975 Giro d’Italia, with his final stage win coming at the 1980 edition of the Vuelta a Colombia.