Irizar 100% healed

RadioShack-Nissan-Trek rider Markel Irizar on Monday got the confirmation that the testicular cancer contracted ten years ago now well and truly belongs to the past.

The 32-year-old erstwhile Euskaltel rider was diagnosed with the disease while riding as an amateur in 2002, and famously went on to receive a letter of encouragement from fellow cancer victim Lance Armstrong while undergoing treatment. For the next ten years, the time trial specialist underwent treatment and controls to keep an eye on it, but those days are now behind him.

"Last oncology revision", he said, according to BiciCiclismo. "After ten years I've been discharged and I'm over it. A great day!"

Irizar spent six years in orange before joining his current team ahead of the 2010 season, with which the Oñati-born rider has a contract in place for 2013.