Inigo Cuesta left hanging
The dissolution of the Cervelo TestTeam left a lot of riders without a home. Many of them were quickly picked up by Team Garmin and the rest were left to fend for themselves. With the recent signing of Stefan Denifl to the Luxembourg Pro Cycling Project
and João Correia’s decision to retire, three riders remain available at the end of the transfer season: Joaquin Novoa, Xavier Florencio and 41-year-old Iñigo Cuesta.
Cuesta has been racing professionally since 1994 and has competed in the Vuelta a Espana a record 17 times, every year of his professional career. He has also raced the Tour de France seven times and the Giro d’Italia three times.
"I felt good at the end of the season, and I would like to race another year to say goodbye at the Vuelta a Espana," said the Villarcayo-born rider to Biciciclismo.
The elder road cyclist had planned to retire with the closure of Cervelo, but he was happy enough with his form at the end of the season and decided to put his name in the market.
“I'm very calm,” said Cuesta. “I just finished my end of season break and started training again as I normally would, just in case. I want to be professional to the last moment. As usual, I start with the gym, do some walking, and ride my bike.”
Most top-level road cyclists retire by the age of 40. Grand Tours usually do not include any riders beyond their 30s. João Correia, who also left without a team when Cervelo closed their doors, has chosen to retire at the age of 35, calling an end to a unique
and inspiring career.
"I appreciate all the support from all of you this year,” said Correira via Twitter. “It was truly great motivation, but it's time for me to go home. I won't be racing in 2011."
The Portugese rider began his career at a young age but returned to school in the late 90s. Years later he was the associate publisher of Bicycling Magazine. He started riding again purely for exercise almost 10 years after his European professional career.
His form seemed to take on a life of its own and in seemingly no time at all he lost 25kg and began a high-speed climb through the ranks, eventually bringing him back to the ProTour level with the Cervelo TestTeam.
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