Iñigo Landaluze

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Iñigo Landaluze Intxaurraga (born May 9, 1977, in Getxo, Basque Country, Spain) is a former professional road racing cyclist. Landaluze's career spanned from 2001 to 2009, during which he competed for the Euskaltel-Euskadi team, a professional team based in the Basque Country, known for its policy of signing only Basque riders or those trained in the Basque cycling tradition.

Career

Landaluze turned professional in 2001 with Euskaltel-Euskadi, a team he remained with throughout his entire career. He showed promise as a climber and stage racer, characteristics highly valued in the mountainous terrains of many professional races.

His most notable victory came in 2005 when he won the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré, a prestigious week-long stage race that is often considered a warm-up for the Tour de France. This victory was marred by controversy, however, as Landaluze was initially found to have tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone. After a lengthy legal battle, he was eventually cleared of all charges due to irregularities in the handling of his test samples.

Despite this significant win, Landaluze's career did not see further top-tier victories. He was a consistent team player, working in support of his teammates and contributing to the team's overall strategies in various races.

Doping Allegations and Suspension

In 2009, Landaluze's career took a downturn when he tested positive for Continuous Erythropoiesis Receptor Activator (CERA), a third-generation Erythropoietin (EPO) during an out-of-competition control. This resulted in a two-year suspension from professional cycling, effectively ending his career, as he did not return to the sport after serving his suspension.

Post-Cycling Career

After retiring from professional cycling, Landaluze has kept a low profile. There is little public information about his activities following his departure from the sport.

Legacy

Landaluze's career is a reflection of the complex issues surrounding doping in professional cycling. His significant victory at the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré is often overshadowed by the doping allegations and subsequent suspension that marked the end of his career. Despite this, he remains a part of the rich history of Basque cycling, having competed for one of the most iconic teams in the region.