Joseba Beloki has decided to attempt a return to cycling, only this time as a coach for the young Spanish Cafés Baqué team. The 36-year-old finish on the Tour de France podium on three occasions, with his best finish being second in the 2002 edition of the race.
The Spaniard left Saiz team in 2004 for the French Brioches La Boulangère team after a horrific accident in the previous year's Tour de France. He was descending the Cote de La Rochette during stage nine of the race, and hot tarmac caused him to lose control of his bike, with the resulting fall leaving his femur broken in two places. His time with the French team was short-lived and, with his injury taking longer than expected to heal, he moved to the Saunier Duval-Prodir team and explained that Brioches La Boulangère was not a suitable environment for him.
He decided to go back to the then Liberty Seguros-Würth team run by Saiz the following year. He finished the Tour de France in a lowly 75th place. In 2006 Beloki was implicated in the Operación Puerto scandal along with his manager, but was cleared of involvement in the case by Spanish officials July 26th.
He told Spanish newspaper El Diario Vasco, "I've always been very committed to the sport and think it's great to train young riders."
"In 2008 I met all my qualifications to be a team coach and I'm glad Cafés Baqué gave me this opportunity. I hope to learn a lot from this team."