Colombian cyclist Rigoberto Uran replaced Bradley Wiggins as official team leader of Sky after the latter fell ill midway the Giro d’Italia.
Wiggins, who has claimed of a lung infection and has been set 5:22 down the top position in the Italian tour, was replaced by Uran who occupies the third spot in the tour’s ranking.
The change in leadership was announced Thursday by Sky captain Dave Brailsford, who had said he hadn’t seen his former top rider “this ill” since 2011.
Despite Wiggins’ health problems, “we have a very strong and motivated team that will continue to ride for Rigoberto,” Brailsford told press.
Uran, arguably Colombia’s best cyclist at the moment, on Tuesday won the first mountain stage in the Giro and is 2:04 behind on the number one, Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali.
MORE: Colombia’s Rigoberto Uran wins stage in Giro d’Italia
This is not the first time Uran has replaced Wiggins as Sky team leader; During the 2011 Tour de France, the Colombian was also asked to lead Sky after Wiggins crashed out.