Óscar Sevilla will turn fifty in September 2026, but the Spaniard has no plans to hang up his bike just yet. The former rider of teams including Kelme and T-Mobile is extending his career with a 27th (!) cycling season, riding for the continental Team Medellín-EPM.
"I have thought about this a lot with my family and loved ones," Sevilla begins in a video message on Medellín-EPM's social media. "I will continue racing for this amazing team next year, to carry the name of Medellín around the world. With the same passion, the same motivation, and the same professionalism as always. See you at the races in 2026. Here’s to another year!”
To trace the start of Sevilla’s (pro) career, we have to go back 27 years to 1998, when Sevilla debuted for Kelme-Costa Blanca. The Spaniard quickly became one of the better climbers in the peloton. He finished second overall in the Vuelta a España and seventh in the Tour de France in 2001. Additionally, in the 2001 Tour, he won the white jersey for best young rider.
However, Sevilla’s career suffered a major setback in 2006 when he was suspended due to his involvement in the Spanish doping case Operación Puerto, with Dr. Eufemiano Fuentes as the main figure in the scandal. After his suspension, Sevilla returned to the peloton but never got another chance with a top-level team. The Spaniard then embarked on a long journey through modest and often exotic continental squads.
It turned out to be a very successful ‘journey’, as Sevilla still racks up notable results despite being of retirement age. Last season, he won three races. Although these victories were all at the national level, Sevilla remains competitive in UCI races as well. He finished third in the Tour de Beauce (2.2) and tenth in the Tour of Hainan (2.Pro).
Sevilla during his Kelme days – photo: Cor Vos
