Former Tour de France winner had hoped to retire following this year’s Vuelta
2006 Tour de France winner, Oscar Pereiro, might have to x the upcoming Vuelta a Espana from his schedule. The rider who has been battered with bad luck over the past few seasons, was hoping to make the Vuelta his swansong before lowering the curtain on his career.
However, it looks like Pereiro might either need to put off retirement or go out quietly due to an injury the Galician has sustained to his arm.
Speaking to the Voz de Galicia, the always aggressive rider said, “I do not even have the strength to open a door or turn a key, let alone the ability to ride my bike. Without serious training, it is difficult to consider a start at the Vuelta.”
The latest installment of bad luck for Pereiro will certainly test his reserve if he is not able to race this year’s Vuelta. Recently, the 33 year old confessed: “I will not deny that I have an increased desire to go ahead and start thinking about other things in life beyond cycling. I’m thinking about retirement, which now seems 90% secure. Lowering the curtain on my career, at home with the Tour of Spain in the heart of Madrid, would be a great way to do it.”