Cycling runs in Xabier Mikel Azparren Irurzun’s blood. With both his grandfather and father deeply involved in the sport, his dad even serving as a DS for a pro team in Spain, it was almost inevitable that Xabier would follow in their footsteps. 

San Sebastián is home for him during the season, though he also spends time training in Madrid. There, he experiences everything from flat roads to toweringmountains, while the Basque Country is famous for its hilly terrain and steep climbs. The contrast in climates keeps him adaptable: Madrid’s extremes of heatand cold versus the wetter, more stable conditions of the Basque Country. 

Grand tours are what excite Xabier the most, and this year, the opportunity to race the Tour is a thrilling prospect. His goals for the season are to stay competitivein races and continue growing as a domestique, contributing to the team’s success in every way he can. 

Some of his fondest memories? “Training in Navarre as a kid, with my grandpa following me in the car,” he recalls: moments that shaped his passion for the sport and his dedication to cycling.