Isidro Nozal
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Isidro Nozal |
| Born |
18 October 1977 Barakaldo, Spain |
| Team information | |
| Discipline | Road |
| Role | Rider |
| Professional team(s) | |
| 1999–2006 | ONCE–Deutsche Bank |
| 2007 | Astana |
| 2008–2009 | Karpin–Galicia |
|
Infobox last updated on 8 May 2011 | |
Isidro Nozal Vega (born 18 October 1977) is a former Spanish professional road racing cyclist. He has become somewhat famous for not showering during Grand Tours for fear that the water will soften his muscles . 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, he was suspended for two weeks after being tested with a hematocrit level above 50 before the start of Dauphine Libere.[1] In 2006, he was initially implicated in the Operación Puerto doping case, but was later cleared of any wrongdoing by Spanish officials.[2] Later admitted involvement, saying he did three blood tranfusions with Fuentes in the season before the 2005 Dauphine Libere, but denying he doped.[3] For the 2008 and 2009 seasons Nozal rode for the Portuguese Pro Continental team of Liberty Seguros.[4] In September 2009 Nozal and two teammates (Nuno Ribeiro and Hector Guerra) were announced to have tested positive for EPO-CERA in samples taken for the previous month's Tour of Portugal.[5] Liberty Seguros immediately announced that it would cease sponsorship of the team and its participation in cycling. Ribeiro had initially been declared the winner but 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.[6]
Career achievements
Major results
- 1999 – ONCE - Deutsche Bank
First year as a professional
- 2000 – ONCE - Deutsche Bank
- 2001 – ONCE - Eroski
- 6th Overall, Vuelta Ciclista a la Rioja
- 2002 – ONCE - Eroski
- Stage 3 – Clasica de Alcobendas
- Stage 3 – Vuelta a Burgos
- 2003 – ONCE - Eroski
- 2nd Overall, Vuelta a España
- Stage 6 (ITT), 13
- 2004 – Liberty Seguros
- 14th Overall, Giro di Lombardia
- 7th Overall, Vuelta a España
- 2005 – Liberty Seguros-Würth
- 2006 – Astana-Würth Team
Grand Tour General classification results timeline
| Grand Tour | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giro | – | 68 | – | – | – | – |
| Tour | – | – | 38 | 72 | 73 | – |
| Vuelta | – | – | – | 2 | 7 | DNF |
DNF = did not finish
References
- ↑ www.cyclingnews.com - the first WWW cycling results and news service
- ↑ VeloNews | Wednesday's EuroFile: Astana 5’ cleared by Spanish courts; Landis sets post-Tour schedule | The Journal of Competitive Cycling
- ↑ http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/operacion-puerto-trial-beloki-etxebarria-and-osa-deny-links-with-fuentes
- ↑ O Norte Desportivo Online
- ↑ www.cyclingnews.com 19 September 2009
- ↑ www.cyclingnews.com 24 July 2010