BRILLIANT FROM YOUTH STAGE. One of the biggest phenomena that Spanish amateur cycling has witnessed over the last few years, Jon Barrenetxea based his leap towards pro racing (in 2021) on great exhibitions at the biggest venues. National junior road race champion in 2018 and winner, at a challenging -for everyone- 2020 season, of the final classification of the Basque U26 challenge Torneo Euskaldun and arguably the biggest race in Spain’s ‘aficionado’ scene, the Memorial Valenciaga, the ‘vizcaíno’, coming from team Baqué -now supported by the Movistar Team at junior stage-, was able to join another reference in team Caja Rural – Seguros RGA.

CONSISTENT STEPS FORWARD. At the green squad, ‘JonBa’ -who completed in 2022 his Business Management studies, meaning that last year’s was his first season fully devoted to cycling- evolved solidly, working with commitment and seriousness. Already two years ago, he shone in Andalucía -won the KOM jersey-, Greece -best young rider-, Luxembourg -6th at a stage- and a long breakaway in the Clásica de San Sebastián. He always showed his great features, as an allrounder with punch and resistance, both strong (almost 1.90m tall) and skilled.

A FUNDAMENTAL 2023 SEASON. Barrenetxea’s best details, those that earned him a spot in the WorldTour with the Movistar Team, were seen during 2023. He completed a stellar Itzulia, with several consecutive breakaways rewarded with the Mountain classification; climbed onto the podium at the Boucles de l’Aulne; finished 8th in the demanding Spanish Nationals in Madrid; and completed a great debut in La Vuelta, featuring in the breaks and taking 5th place in Caravaca. Late that season, he got his first cap for the Spanish elite national team, competing at the Drenthe Euros in September.