Isidro Nozal

Isidro Nozal Vega (born 18 October 1977) is a Spanish former professional road racing cyclist. Nozal was runner-up in the 2003 Vuelta a España and an instrumental domestique in Roberto Heras' 2004 Vuelta a España win.

Doping In 2005, Vega was suspended for two weeks after being tested with a hematocrit level above 50 before the start of Dauphine Libere. In 2006, he was initially implicated in the Operación Puerto doping case, but was cleared of any wrongdoing by Spanish officials. He later admitted his involvement, saying he did three blood transfusions with Fuentes in the season before the 2005 Dauphine Libere, but denying he doped. For the 2008 and 2009 seasons Nozal rode for the Portuguese Pro Continental team of Liberty Seguros. In September 2009 Nozal and two teammates (Nuno Ribeiro and Héctor Guerra) were announced to have tested positive for EPO-CERA in samples taken for the previous month's Tour of Portugal. Liberty Seguros immediately announced that it would cease sponsorship of the team and its participation in cycling. Ribeiro's win was withdrawn and the second-placed rider, Spain's David Blanco, was elevated to the overall win. Nozal, Ribeiro, and Guerra all received two-year suspensions from cycling.

Career achievements Major results

1998 7th Overall Circuito Montañés 1999 6th Overall Tour de Pologne 2000 1st Stage 1 (TTT) Volta a Catalunya 2001 6th Overall Vuelta Ciclista a la Rioja 2002 Tour de France 1st Stage 4 (TTT)

4th Overall Vuelta a Castilla y León 7th Overall Deutschland Tour 7th Overall Vuelta a Burgos 1st Stage 3 (TTT) 7th Overall Vuelta a Asturias 8th Overall Clasica de Alcobendas 1st Stage 3 (ITT) 2003 2nd Overall Vuelta a España 1st Stages 1 (TTT), 6 (ITT) & 13 (ITT)

4th Time trial, UCI Road World Championships 6th Overall Deutschland Tour 2004 7th Time trial, National Road Championships 7th Overall Vuelta a España 10th Subida al Naranco

Grand Tour general classification results timeline

+ Legend — Did not compete DNF Did not finish