"It's not something you plan or target" - Spanish veteran Francisco Mancebo on continuing pro career into his 50's

Francisco Mancebo made his debut as a professional before many of the current peloton were even born, and will enter his 50th year still racing as he joins the Chinese Pingtan International Tourism Island Cycling Team for 2026, reversing his decision to retire at ŧhe end of the season. 

"When you start out as a professional, you think you’re going to retire at 32 or 33, which is when people used to retire. People last longer now, but even so, 50 is a long time… But no, it’s happened because it’s happened. It’s not something you plan or target," the veteran told Domestique from Japan, reflecting on a often controversial career that has lasted three decades.

"Well, obviously, my career was marked by Operación Puerto. It was a turning point," the Spaniard explains, his AG2R team sacking him after he was pulled out of the 2006 Tour de France on the eve of the race. Despite never being charged, the former Tour de France Young Riders Classification winner never returned to the sport's highest level, with the Relax Team failing to gain a Vuelta a España wildcard the following year.

"It was tough at the time, because there was no ban, but behind the scenes, there was pressure from the UCI and from organizers, and we weren’t able to race." He reflects: "That’s the hypocrisy of cycling, and a lot of the same people who were there then are still there now, so little has changed. But now I just see it as something that happened to us."

Mancebo believes he was close to returning with the Movistar team in 2012, although the deal never made it past the line. "(Eusébio Unzué, Movistar manager, ed.) used the sponsors as an excuse. I don’t know if that was true or not. But that was the last time I tried to return to the ProTour.”

Mancebo had spent the previous two seasons with Rock Racing, the controversial outfit run by American Michael Ball, alongside the likes of Oscar Sevilla and Tyler Hamilton. "Michael Ball was a little bit crazy," he shares. "He had a lot of money – or at least he looked like he had a lot of money – and his craziness took the team right along with him."

“The kit was flashy with the skull and crossbones, and everything was so extravagant. But it was also very professional. That was probably the team where I enjoyed myself the most in my whole life, where I had the most fun. And the results were good too.”

Almost two decades on however, and after six seasons with the Japanese Matrix Powertag squad, the 49-year-old heads to China for a new challenge, having become the oldest winner of a professional race at the start of 2025. "This chance in China came up, and I’m very happy – a new experience, a new team, new motivation. It’s all good for the head," he continues.

"I only met the manager a few days ago, so I’m slowly integrating into the team," the Spaniard added. His schedule is likely to be based mostly in the team's home country with possibilities to race in the Philippines and Uzbekistan.

With age seemingly no barrier, Mancebo would not be drawn on a retirement date, instead insisting the legs will decide. “There’s no date in mind: I would like to continue for as long as I can. But it’s complicated, of course. Still, I hope to do well this year and continue into 2027," he concluded.