Mikel Nieve announces end to 15-year career at the end of 2022

Mikel Nieve has been one of the most prominent Basque climbers of the last decade and 2022 will be his final season as a professional rider, he's announced himself on social media.

"It has been a privilege to share the peloton with great cyclists and all the people who make up the world of cycling," Nieve said. He's thanked his family, friends, fans and teammates who have all played a role in his career which started out in 2008, and had it's most marking years within the old Euskaltel - Euskadi structure where he grew into a top climber, and the Team Sky years where he's helped the team in several big achievements.

Over his career Nieve has only won five times, but all five were on World Tour races, and four were in Grand Tours. The Giro d'Italia is where he's had the most success throughout his career with three high mountain wins and the KOM jersey in 2016, with a total of 22 Grand Tours ridden he was classified as one of the best pure climbers in the field.

In 2014 he's moved to Team Sky and in both 2016 and 2017 he played a key support role for Chris Froome as he obtained his final Tour de France wins. In 2018 Nieve left to Team BikeExchange - Jayco in pursuit of more freedom which he used to chase results, and in 2022 he moved to Caja Rural - Seguros RGA where he will race the final events of his career.