Natnael Tesfazion
Natnael Tesfazion, born 23 May 1999, is an Eritrean road racer with Movistar Team and one of the leading figures in African cycling's growing presence at the top level. A versatile, aggressive rider capable of climbing, sprinting from small groups and animating one-day races, he is a multiple Tour du Rwanda overall winner and a two-time runner-up at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. Find Natnael Tesfazion's latest results, stats and race calendar on this page.
Biography of pro cyclist Natnael Tesfazion
Natnael Tesfazion (also written Tesfatsion) is part of the wave of Eritrean talent reshaping the international peloton. Combining endurance, punch and a willingness to attack, he has carved out a place as a dependable WorldTour rider and a flag-bearer for African cycling.
After establishing himself in the WorldTour with Lidl-Trek, he joined Movistar Team, bringing his versatility to a squad that values riders able to contribute across varied terrain.
Early life and rise in Eritrea
Tesfazion came through Eritrea's strong domestic cycling culture, a country that has produced a growing number of professional riders. His breakthrough came on home African roads, where he twice won the overall classification at the Tour du Rwanda, in 2020 and 2022, results that opened the door to a professional career in Europe.
He made his UCI WorldTour debut with Lidl-Trek in 2023, taking on the demanding step up to the sport's highest level.
Building a WorldTour palmarès
Tesfazion's versatility has been his calling card. He twice finished second at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race in Australia, showing his ability to contest hard, hilly one-day races from a reduced group, while a tally of UCI victories underlines his all-round capabilities.
The 2025 season began with injury that hampered his progress, but he returned to form in the second half of the year, taking sixth overall at the Tour de Wallonie and third at the Trofeo Matteotti, evidence of his resilience and consistency.
Rider profile: strengths, style, and characteristics
Tesfazion is a versatile, attacking rider who can climb, finish from a small group and make the difference in undulating one-day races. His aggressive instincts make him a natural for breakaways and hilly classics, and his all-round profile makes him a useful asset across stage races and one-day events alike.
Personal life
As one of Eritrea's most prominent professional cyclists, Tesfazion carries the hopes of a passionate national following and represents the continued rise of African riders in the WorldTour. His move to Movistar was welcomed as a new chapter, framed by supporters as "new team, new jersey, new hope."
Records and milestones
- Overall winner, Tour du Rwanda (2020 and 2022)
- 2nd, Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (two-time runner-up)
- 6th overall, Tour de Wallonie (2025)
- 3rd, Trofeo Matteotti (2025)
- UCI WorldTour rider, now with Movistar Team
What's next for Natnael Tesfazion?
With Movistar, Tesfazion has the platform to chase results in hilly classics and stage races, and to feature in Grand Tour breakaways. As one of African cycling's standard-bearers, he continues to push for the bigger wins that his versatility and racing instinct have long promised.
