Xabier Zandio Echaide (born 17 March 1977) is a retired Spanish professional road bicycle racer who last rode for UCI ProTeam Team Sky.

Biography

Born in Pamplona, Zandio grew up in a sporting family—one brother is a footballer and another a pelota player—and decided at the age of 17 to become a cyclist rather than work for his parents' butchery business.

He began his professional career in 2001 with the iBanesto.com team (which was renamed Illes Balears–Banesto in 2004, and Illes Balears–Caisse d'Epargne in 2005). After a difficult 2004 season in which injuries drained him physically and emotionally, he returned with a strong performance in the 2005 Tour de France. Finishing in 22nd place overall, he managed 4th in the 18th stage, and 2nd in the 16th, behind Óscar Pereiro.

He currently resides in Pamplona and is married with two children.

In September 2015 Zandio announced that he would retire from the sport at the end of the 2016 season after he signed a one-year contract extension with Team Sky.

Major results

2002

1st Stage 1 (TTT) Volta a Portugal

2005

1st Clásica a los Puertos de Guadarrama

6th Overall Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana

22nd Overall Tour de France

2008

1st Overall Vuelta a Burgos

2013

1st Stage 2 (TTT) Giro d'Italia

1st Stage 1b (TTT) Giro del Trentino

External links

Media related toXabier Zandioat Wikimedia Commons

  • at Team Sky