Rafael Antonio Niño
Encyclopedia
Rafael Antonio Niño Munévar (born December 11, 1949 in Cucaita, Boyaca, Colombia
) is a retired Colombia
n road racing cyclist. He won the Vuelta a Colombia
in 1970. After that he became a professional cyclist from 1973 to 1974. He participated in the Giro d’Italia. After one year as a professional he returned to Colombia and set up the Banco Cafetero team of which he was the undisputed leader. With this strong team he dominated the Vuelta a Colombia
and the Clásico RCN
during the 1970s. He earned the nickname El Niño de Cucaita. He won a record six editions of the Vuelta a Colombia
. After he retired he became a technical director of the Colombia professional cycling team that disputed the Tour de France
during the 1980s, Café de Colombia.
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
) is a retired Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
n road racing cyclist. He won the Vuelta a Colombia
Vuelta a Colombia
The Vuelta a Colombia is an annual cycling road race, run over many stages throughout different regions in Colombia and sometimes Venezuela during the first days of August. It is organized by the Colombian Cycling Federation.The first Vuelta a Colombia was held in 1951...
in 1970. After that he became a professional cyclist from 1973 to 1974. He participated in the Giro d’Italia. After one year as a professional he returned to Colombia and set up the Banco Cafetero team of which he was the undisputed leader. With this strong team he dominated the Vuelta a Colombia
Vuelta a Colombia
The Vuelta a Colombia is an annual cycling road race, run over many stages throughout different regions in Colombia and sometimes Venezuela during the first days of August. It is organized by the Colombian Cycling Federation.The first Vuelta a Colombia was held in 1951...
and the Clásico RCN
Clásico RCN
The Clásico RCN is an annual cycling road race that takes place over many stages through different regions of Colombia during October...
during the 1970s. He earned the nickname El Niño de Cucaita. He won a record six editions of the Vuelta a Colombia
Vuelta a Colombia
The Vuelta a Colombia is an annual cycling road race, run over many stages throughout different regions in Colombia and sometimes Venezuela during the first days of August. It is organized by the Colombian Cycling Federation.The first Vuelta a Colombia was held in 1951...
. After he retired he became a technical director of the Colombia professional cycling team that disputed the Tour de France
Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
during the 1980s, Café de Colombia.