Ricardo Otxoa facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Ricardo Otxoa Palacios |
| Born | 30 August 1974 Barakaldo, Spain |
| Died | 15 February 2001 (aged 26) Cártama, Spain |
| Team information | |
| Discipline | Road |
| Role | Rider |
Ricardo Otxoa Palacios (born August 30, 1974 – died February 15, 2001) was a professional road cyclist from Spain. He was known for his strong riding skills and for being the twin brother of fellow cyclist Javier Otxoa. Ricardo's life was sadly cut short in a training accident.
Contents
Ricardo Otxoa's Cycling Career
Ricardo Otxoa started his journey in professional cycling with the team ONCE. Before becoming a full professional, he spent a year with the team as a trainee. A stagiaire is like an intern in cycling; they ride with a professional team to gain experience.
Joining Professional Teams
Ricardo rode for ONCE for three years, from 1996 to 1998. After that, he rode as an amateur cyclist in 1999. In 2000, he returned to the professional ranks. He joined the team Kelme–Costa Blanca along with his twin brother, Javier. It was special for them to ride on the same professional team.
Racing in the Giro d'Italia
One of the biggest races Ricardo competed in was the 2000 Giro d'Italia. This is a very famous and challenging multi-stage bicycle race held in Italy. Ricardo finished the race in 42nd place overall. This was a good achievement for him in such a tough competition.
A Tragic Accident
On February 15, 2001, a very sad event happened. Ricardo Otxoa and his twin brother Javier were out training on their bikes near Málaga, Spain. During their ride, they were involved in an accident with a car.
Impact of the Accident
Sadly, Ricardo Otxoa died from his injuries in the accident. His brother Javier survived, but he was very seriously hurt and went into a coma. Javier faced a long recovery from his injuries.
Remembering Ricardo
To honor Ricardo Otxoa's memory, a cycling race called the Circuito de Getxo is also known as the Memorial Ricardo Otxoa. This race helps people remember him and his contributions to cycling.
Major Race Results
Ricardo Otxoa had some notable results in his cycling career. Here are a few of his best finishes:
- 1999
- 3rd place overall in the Volta a Lleida
- 2000
- 3rd place in the GP Llodio
See also
In Spanish: Ricardo Otxoa para niños
