Iban Mayo

Iban Mayo

Iban Mayo Diez (born August 19, 1977, in Igorre, Basque Country, Spain) is a professional road bicycle racer. His successes have been overshadowed by doping.

Renowned as a climber, Mayo turned pro with Euskaltel-Euskadi in 2000, and became one of the Basque Country's prospects for glory. He stayed with Euskaltel-Euskadi throughout 2000-2006. The biggest result came in the 2003 Tour de France, when he won a stage up Alpe d'Huez. He finished the Tour sixth.

In 2004 he won the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré, regarded as preparation for the Tour de France. He beat Lance Armstrong by 2 minutes in a time trial on Mont Ventoux, breaking the record. He was seen as a dangerous outsider for the Tour de France in the same year. It turned out a disappointment. After losing time due to a crash, he lost more in the Pyrenees due to injuries and mononucleosis. He quit before the 15th stage.

After a lackluster 2005, in 2006 he returned in the Dauphiné Libéré with 2nd place in Briançon and a win on the stage to La Toussuire. He was seen as a contender for the 2006 Tour de France, but retired during the 11th stage.

In 2007 Mayo rode for Saunier Duval-Prodir, taking his first Giro d'Italia stage win. On July 30, 2007, the UCI confirmed he had failed a test for EPO during the Tour de France, which he finished 16th . On October 22, the Spanish federation cleared Mayo after a second test proved negative. The UCI president Pat McQuaid stopped short of clearing the rider, pending further tests. On December 19, a French laboratory confirmed the positive test. In 2008, the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld Mayo's two year's ban, which ended on 31 July 2009.