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Spanish Cycling Legend Arroyo Dies at 70
6 Oct
Summary
- Arroyo was the 1983 Tour de France runner-up.
- He is credited with reviving Spanish cycling.
- He died Sunday at age 70 after a serious illness.
Ángel Arroyo, a pivotal figure in Spanish cycling and the 1983 Tour de France runner-up, passed away on Sunday at the age of 70. Arroyo is largely recognized for igniting a resurgence in Spanish cycling, paving the way for a golden generation of riders.
Following earlier Tour de France successes by Bahamontes and Ocaña, Spain experienced a lull. Arroyo, leading the Reynolds team, broke this trend, inspiring Pedro Delgado and Miguel Indurain, who achieved multiple Tour victories in the 1990s. This legacy continues with current riders from the team, now known as Movistar.
Arroyo's career was not without controversy; he was stripped of the 1982 Vuelta a España title for a doping violation. Despite this, he achieved his most notable Tour de France podium finish in 1983, securing a memorable stage win up the Puy de Dome. He later won a brutal mountain stage in 1984.
Fellow cyclists like Alejandro Valverde and Pedro Delgado paid tribute, hailing Arroyo as a legend and a cornerstone of Spanish cycling. Post-retirement, Arroyo ran a carwash business, working until his final days. He died after a hospitalization for a serious illness.
