Juan José Oroz has decided to put an end to his career as a professional rider. Last year he joined the continental Burgos team but as the door to the elite level remains closed for 2015, he has reached the conclusion that it is time to quit.

The 34-year-old Spaniard announced his farewell in Diario de Navarra and in an open letter he later sent to the media and does so with his head high and smiling.

"I'm leaving pro cycling with a big smile. When I was 18, I would never have thought that I would have been here for so long. I have done the most important races and have a group of good friends that I will have for the rest of my life," he says,

Oroz has completed nine years at the pro level with Kaiku (2006), Orbea (2007), Euskaltel-Euskadi (2007-2013) and Burgos (2014), after having been left frustrated by the Chilean PinoRoad. He has done 10 grand tours with four Tours de France, four Vueltas a Espana and two Giri d'Italia.

"Cycling has been a way of life that has made me very happy. I don't regret anything that I have done in my career. Immediately, I realized what my role was and I have always done my best," he says.

In his farewell, he makes it clear that he has enjoyed his time as a bike rider. 

"I'm happy because I was able to enjoy cycling until the last day and the last race. I'm not tired of the bike and I plan to continue training with a group in Pamplona," he says.

Serving leaders in his seven years at Euskaltel-Euskadi, he was one of the leaders at Burgos in 2014. He even took his first win with a stage victory in the Tour of Korea. 

"I wanted to have the opportunity to ride the Tour, Vuelta, Giro or the great classics with a WorldTour team. Last year I tried as hard as possible but it was not an option," he tells Diario de Navarra . "Whether you can be part of elite cycling or not is not entirely up to you."

In his career, he has two highlights: the first time he arrived in Paris after the Tour de France and the start of the Vuelta a Espana in Pamplona. His only regret is that he "was unable to return to the Northern classics."