Juan José Lobato’s career has come to an end after 13 years as a professional cyclist. The 34-year-old Spaniard achieved a total of fifteen victories during this period. The cyclist had a one-year stint with the former LottoNL-Jumbo team, which was marred by an unfortunate incident involving sleeping pills.
Lobato began his career in 2011 with the Andaluzia-Caja Granada ProContinental team. He later raced for Euskaltel-Euskadi (2013), Movistar (2014-2016), LottoNL-Jumbo (2017), Nippo-Vini Fantini (2018-2019), and concluded his professional career with Euskaltel-Euskadi, where he has been since 2020.
“From the bottom of my heart, these were the best thirteen years of my life,” Lobato said in a statement. “Who could have told me all this when I started riding a bike? I wouldn’t change anything about what I’ve experienced and done as a professional cyclist.”
“Once, a singer sang: I’m not proud of my past, but I’m not ashamed either. All my falls, slips, joys, and happiness have made me who I am.”
Lobato won the Circuit of Getxo twice, and his name is also on stage victories at the Tour Down Under, Dubai Tour, Vuelta a Burgos, and Ruta del Sol. The last race Lobato competed in was the Vuelta a Castilla y Léon in July of this year.