Carlos Sastre announces his departure from cycling – Cycling News
Carlos Sastre announced in a press conference that he has decided to end his 15-year cycling career in which he has secured many wins to his name. He started his career in 1997 when he signed his first professional contract with the ONCE Team as a domestique. He
Joined team Geox-TMC this year and currently rides for them as he finished third overall at the Tour of Austria 2011.
Over the years Sastre has developed his skills as he started as a domestique but is now known as a specialised climber and general classifications competitor. He is currently leading his team Geox and the biggest win of his career came in 2008 when he won
the Tour de France. He mentioned that winning the Tour de France was the biggest dream of his life as he said, “It’s very moving, I’ve dreamt of this since I was a child. I’m beyond words, to be here with my family is really special.”
Tour win wrapped up an outstanding 2008 for Team CSC Saxo Bank as Andy Schleck won the young riders classification for the team including two stage wins. Lance Armstrong criticised the Spaniard’s win as he said that the Tour de France 2008 win was a joke
to which he later apologised. Carlos has also won two stages at the Giro d’ Italia, one stage at the Vuelta a Espana and three individual stages at the Tour de France.
The 36-year-old held an emotional press conference in Madrid in which he recalled his winning memories and the fun he had during his career as he said, “It’s time to end this cycle. Winning the Tour and being part of the winning team (at the Vuelta) were
the best moments of my career. It’s time for a new stage in my life even if I don’t know what that will be at the moment.”
The Spaniard is not the only rider who has decided to retire from his professional career as French cyclist Cyril Dessel announced his retirement earlier this week. Italian rider Andrea Noe has also announced his retirement after the Giro d’ Italia 2011
along with Inigo Cuesta who retired at the age of 42.
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