Sports Betting Articles
Spaniard Cyclist Beloki Says Good-Bye
By Claudia Beckford
Former Tour de France runner-up the Spaniard Joseba Beloki Dorronsoro is at the edge of his professional career after being involved in the very controversial doping scandal known as Operación Puerto; situation which had a major role in his latest decision to abandon the cycling world.
Beloki who is a Basque Country born and who was once known as a top performer in individual time trials as well as a strong climber in the high mountains turned professional in 1998 and began an extend professional cycling career joining teams such as: Euskatel-Euskadi, Festina, Team ONCE,
Brioches La Boulangère, Saunier Duval-Prodir, and Liberty Seguros-Würth/Astana. He was also second to Lance Armstrong in the 2003 Tour de France another major accomplishment was the win of the
Volta a Catalunya in 2001.
Despite, his desires to continue participating in competitions many doors have closed on him due to his involvement in Operacion Puerto… "I have gone 18 months without competing and have fought against the wind and the tide to get a number on my back, but it has been impossible," Beloki said.
It has been very hard for the 34-year-old athlete to win the trust back or even get hired by a team; especially after the 2006 Tour de France forced withdraw, even though; he was then cleared of any implications.
According to Beloki, the professional sport of cycling is dying slowly due to the shadow that overwhelms today’s cyclists. There is no doubt he is definitely going through a rough time due to his early retirement; for some Beloki should have retired long ago but others do think it was good for him to stay around and try very proudly to overcome his obstacles and get the best out of the whole situation.
Beloki did accept that “everything in life has a beginning as well as an end.” In a period of two years, moreless, Beloki has become the third professional cyclist to retire besides Jan Ulrich and Ivan Basso due to some type of doping participation. It is indeed very sad that professional careers which were fulfilled with glories and victories end abruptly due to a wrong decision.
About the author
Claudia Beckford provides outstanding and current content to sports enthusiast in the sports betting industry. Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety on your site, make sure to leave all links in place and do not modify any of the content.
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