“It was a difficult situation last year and I don't want to go through the same thing again" - Carlos Barbero ponders retirement if he can't find team for 2023

31-year-old Spaniard Carlos Barbero is still without a ride for 2023 after Lotto-Dstny opted not to renew his contract for another season and if he is unable to sign for a team by the end of January, retirement could be on the cards for the former Vuelta a Burgos stage winner.

“I am currently training as I always do at this time of year," Barbero says. "The same number of kilometers, the same exercises in the weight room. Everything is the same." In fact, this time last year the Spaniard was in the exact same situation after his contract with Qhubeka ASSOS expired before eventually joining Lotto.

The anxiety around being a free agent at the beginning of the year is not something Barbero wants to go through again this time around. “It was a difficult situation last year and I don't want to go through the same thing again," he says. "At the time, I remained 120 percent committed until April. I'll keep trying now, but I'm not going to wait as long as last year. I'll keep going until January. If I didn't manage to find a team then I have other goals," potentially hinting at retirement.

Speaking on his departure from Lotto, Barbero admitted he had hoped to stay a little longer. "The managers and colleagues told me that I integrated well into the team and I was happy with the team, so I planned to stay. But those plans ultimately fell through,” he laments. "I don't want to go through the same thing again as last year. It was very tough mentally. I need to love myself a little more. I paid a high toll last year, I don't want to do that again this year."