Having been an important member of the Movistar team since 2002, Jose Ivan Gutierrez will end his professional career. The Spaniard will continue with his current team in a role that has not yet been defined.

Ivan Gutierrez is one of the riders who didn't get his contract with Movistar renewed but he will still remain an important part of the team. Manager Eusebio Unzue confirmed the news in an interview with Ciclo21 after having been asked about the future of the Spaniard.

"He won't continue as an active rider but he will continue with us in a new role which makes his retirement from the professional cycling easier."

In fact, Gutierrez participated in the recent team meeting in Pamplona with his former teammates and will start his new job in January. His tasks have not yet been defined but will be specificed when it has been determined where he can best support the team that has won the WorldTour twice in a row.

Along with Gutierrez, Pole Sylwester Szmyd was left without a professional contract while Ruben Plaza has joined Lampre-Merida where he will support Rui Costa. The rest of the 2014 roster will continue with the team in 2015.

35-year-old Gutierrez did 15 years as a professional since he made his debut with ONCE-Deutsche Bank in 2000 . In 2002 he signed for ibanesto.com and until 2014 he remained with the structure of Abarca Sports. He rose to fame when he became U23 world time trial champion in 1999 in Treviso by beating Australian Michael Rogers.

During his long career, the latest being his win at the 2010 Spanish Championships where he stood on the podium with Francisco Ventoso and Koldo Fernandez. He did one Giro, 10 Tours de France, 4 Vueltas a Espana, 7 World time trial Championships and 1 Worlds road race. His last race was the 7th stage of the Eneco Tour on August 17 when he abandoned.