José Luis Arrieta recently joined the technical staff of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale. The 52-year-old Basque worked for Movistar for many years after the end of his professional career, but took some time away from cycling two years ago. With his son Igor Arrieta slowly grinding through the professional ranks, the Arrieta senior listened to the calling for help of the French team and returned to the team car again.
"They really work very differently than Movistar," is the first conclusion of Arrieta, in conversation with the newspaper AS. "At Decathlon AG2R there are a lot more resources, how everything is organized... It's a much more modern team," said Arrieta.
"I didn't really have the intention to return, but I feel good here," he says on the account of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale. Arrieta himself raced for the French team from 2006 to 2010, and is now temporary sports director. "They called to ask if I was available, and I was. They then contacted me again because a colleague was absent. Asking if I could fill in," he says.
Arrieta made his debut in the 4 Jours de Dunkerque and is currently active in Boucles de la Mayenne. Tour de Suisse is also still on his programme. "That is the plan, and if Jannel (the colleague, ed.) can return by then, he will be back. If not, maybe I can continue until the Vuelta a Espana. Going forward, I have been told that changes may still be coming, and they know they can count on me."
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