Roberto Laiseka retires

One of the all-time greatest Basque climbers and Euskaltel favourite Roberto Laiseka, has retired from international cycling. The sad news was made public today, though many probably saw it coming. The 37-year-old Roberto injured his knee badly in the last Giro, something that cut short his season. Roberto worked hard all last year to return to racing with his beloved Euskaltel, but in the end obviously saw that a return to former glories was improbable.

Roberto turned pro in 1994 with Euskaltel, the smae year the team was established. Roberto has, unbelievable, stayed with Euskaltel ever since, and has brought Euskaltel success and recognition. On his palmarès you can read one stage-win in the Tour de France and three stage-wins in the Vuelta a España. Roberto, we`ll miss you. But your stage win on Luz Ardiden will always stay with us.