Spanish rider Igor Anton has today announced his retirement after a career spanning 14 years.
The 34 year-old started his professional career with the Euskaltel – Euskadi team in 2005 and after nine years with the Basque squad joined Movistar in 2014 before signing for his current team, Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka in 2016.
During his career, he has take numerous wins including four stages of the Vuelta a España, and stages of the Giro d’Italia, Tour de Romandie and the Tour de Suisse where he finished third overall in 2008. He also won the Escalada a Montjuich overall in 2006 and the Vuelta Asturias in 2015.
Igor Anton’s Statement
“14 years ago I started my career as a professional, in a really hard sport but a very beautiful and amazing sport. Vuelta Espana has defined me as a person in many aspects, it is where I achieved my best results, it gave me some of my best moments and some of my worst moments. Therefore, after thinking well about my career, I have decided that tomorrow I will end my career with my final race number, 102.
“It is a fitting scenario and race to bring this adventure I have been on to an end. This chapter of my life has been unbelievable, and I would not want to change anything because I have been privileged to make a small contribution to the long and magnificent history of the sport of cycling.
“After 21 grand tours I think this has been an amazing final tour, it has also been very emotional for me. A lot of memories have been coming back to me and many scenarios have been reappearing in my mind.
“I want to say a big THANKS to all the partners that supported me at my 3 teams; Euskaltel-Euskadi, Movistar Team and Dimension Data for Qhubeka. From the first day of my career until this very last moment I have been backed by these incredible organisations. At Team Dimension Data I had 3 very special years and it was a great experience to be part of this unique project, it made my career so much more interesting.
“I want to remember my mother MaryJose in this time, who I dearly miss. She sacrificed a lot for me and put in great effort to help me achieve my dream. Also, my father, he allowed me to pursue this career. My wife, she suffered with me through all of the bad moments but always stayed by my side to help me through the tough situations. Then to my loving daughter Udane, because she is my engine now.
“A final thanks to the rest of my family, friends and the many people who have helped and supported me since the beginning of my career, they know who they are.
“Now starts a new adventure for me, which I am very excited for.”
