Sports Director
As Sports Director:
Movistar Team (2011-)
As Rider:
Ag2r Prévoyance (2006-10)
Illes Balears (2004-05)
ibanesto.com (2001-03)
Banesto (1993-2000)
He was one of the most remarkable domestiques in Spanish cycling in the turn of the century, and after retiring at the end of the 2010 season, he took to the wheel of the team he was raised at -the Banesto amateur squad saw him jumping to the pro scene-, completed most of his career –13 years alongside Unzué– and earned huge respect from the sport. Such is his prestige that the Vuelta a España honoured him in 2007 with the #1 bib number as the best example of ‘team rider’, “whose anonymous work for leaders has been exceptional.”
18 years as a WorldTour pro, nine Tours the France, nine Vueltas and five Giros speak volumes about a legend of cycling in Spain, who has now earned a place inside the group of best directors in the top tier of our sport in just ten seasons as DS.
Rider Palmarès: One stage win in the Vuelta a España (2006), one stage win in the Vuelta a Asturias (2002), 18 years as pro, 23 Grand Tours started.