Pello Bilbao, the Basque cyclist, will conclude his professional career at the end of the current season. The rider, originally from Gernika, had set his sights on a farewell appearance in the Tour, but a viral infection has disrupted his plans.
His original intention was to bid farewell in the 'race of races', the Tour. The rider from Gernika, who won a stage in the 2023 edition starting from Bilbao, wished to compete in the 'Grande Boucle' one last time. However, a viral infection contracted during the Tour Auvergne, a preparatory race, has weakened his physical condition.
“"Me despediré en el Tour, la Klasika y el Circuito de Getxo. Disputar el Tour creo que la mejor manera de dejar el ciclismo"
Weakened by the infection, Bilbao could not perform at his best in the Tour Auvergne and, consequently, will not be able to start in the Tour, which begins on July 4th in Barcelona. His body has not had sufficient time to recover, and the demanding race offers no room for error.
The cyclist from Gernika has participated in five editions of the Tour: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024. In 2021, he finished ninth overall, and in 2023, he achieved a memorable stage victory in Issoire, one of the most significant wins of his career, in tribute to his friend Gino Mäder. That same year, he finished sixth in the general classification.
In the 2024 edition, Bilbao had to abandon on the twelfth stage. Last season, he chose not to participate. Now, as he was preparing for his final farewell, the viral infection has dashed his dream of racing his sixth Tour.
