Spain’s Iñigo Cuesta has announced his retirement after racing for 18 seasons as a professional.
Last year he started a record 17th consecutive Vuelta Espana and was given the honour of racing with race number one as recognition of his longevity.
“It was a real blow not to get a ride in this year’s Vuelta and when I heard it killed off my motivation,” Cuesta told Marca.
During his long career, Cuesta rode for ONCE, Linda McCartney, Cofidis, Saunier Duval, CSC, Cervelo TestTeam and Caja Rural. Records show he won just three races during his long career: the Tour of the Basque Country in 1998, a stage at the Dauphine Libere in 2000 and a stage at the Volta a Catalunya in 2005. However he was a valued mountain domestique and dedicated himself to helping the likes of Alex Zulle, Ivan Basso and Carlos Sastre during his years as a trusted domestique.
Cuesta has yet to decide what he will do after retirement and may stay in the sport.
“After 18 years, I still love cycling,” he said.
