Xabier Zandio

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

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 team (which was renamed in 2004, and 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 .

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