Sesma swaps bike for massage

After four years as a professional, Daniel Sesma has decided to call it quits. The 27-year-old was released by Euskaltel at the end of the season and was unsuccessful in his search for a new home. He won't leave the sport altogether though.

According to el Diario de Navarra, the native of Arre will stay on with Euskaltel as a part-time masseur. The rider, arguably the team's most aggressive performer in 2011, reported back in October that he was running out of time to find a new team, and it now transpires that time has run out on his career. Prior to joining Euskaltel ahead of the 2010 season, Sesma spent two years at the outfit's feeder team, Orbea.

He leaves the sport without a single top three placing to his name, his best result being sixth overall at the Vuelta Ciclista a Navarra back in 2008. But even though he struggled to impose himself among the pros, Sesma completed this year's grueling Giro d'Italia and has been a near ever-present in breaks throughout his stay with the team.

Another rider without contract hailing from Navarra, Patxi Vila, has been more successful on the job market. The former Lampre rider, positive for testosterone three year ago, has landed a contract with the Irish-registred Continental team Utensilnord-Named. Guillermo Lana, of Estella in Navarra, will swap Spain and Caja Rural for France and amateur-team U.C. Avignon.