Iban Mayo

Iban Mayo Diez (born 19 August 1977 in Igorre, Basque Country, Spain) is a former professional road bicycle racer.

Biography Renowned as a climber, Mayo turned pro with in 2000, and became one of the Basque Country's prospects for glory. He stayed with Euskaltel-Euskadi throughout 2000–2006. The biggest result came in the 2003 Tour de France, when he won a stage up Alpe d'Huez. Mayo finished the Tour sixth.

In 2004 Mayo won the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré, regarded as preparation for the Tour de France. He beat Lance Armstrong by two minutes in a time trial on Mont Ventoux, breaking the record. He was seen as a dangerous outsider for the Tour de France in the same year. It turned out a disappointment, and after losing time due to a crash, he lost more in the Pyrenees due to injuries and mononucleosis. Mayo quit before the 15th stage.

After a lackluster 2005, in 2006 he returned in the Dauphiné Libéré with second place in Briançon and a win on the stage to La Toussuire. He was seen as a contender for the 2006 Tour de France, but retired during the 11th stage. In 2007 Mayo signed for .

Mayo won the 19th stage of the 2007 Giro d'Italia. On 30 July 2007 the UCI confirmed he had failed a test for EPO during the Tour de France, in which he finished 16th. On 22 October the Spanish federation cleared Mayo after a second test proved negative. The UCI president Pat McQuaid stopped short of clearing the rider, pending further tests.

On 19 December a French laboratory confirmed the positive test. In 2008, the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld Mayo's two-year ban, which ended on 31 July 2009.

On 13 September 2009, Mayo decided not to make a comeback to professional cycling, thus effectively ending his career.

Career achievements Major results

1995 3rd Time trial, National Junior Road Championships 4th Road race, UCI Junior Road World Championships 2001

1st Classique des Alpes 1st Stage 6 Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré 3rd Overall Grande Prémio Jornal de Notícias 2002 5th Overall Vuelta a España 2003

1st Stages 1, 5a & 5b (ITT) 2nd Overall Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré

1st Prologue & Stage 4 2nd Liège–Bastogne–Liège 5th Overall Setmana Catalana de Ciclisme 6th Overall Tour de France 1st Stage 8 10th Karlsruher Versicherungs Grand Prix (with Haimar Zubeldia) 2004

1st Prologue & Stage 4 (ITT)

1st Stages 1 & 2 1st Subida al Naranco 2nd Overall Tour of the Basque Country 2nd Classique des Alpes 2006

1st Stage 4 1st Subida a Urkiola 1st Stage 6 Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré 2007 1st Stage 19 Giro d'Italia

Grand Tour general classification results timeline

+ Legend — Did not compete DNF Did not finish