David Arroyo is the grandfather of the Caja Rural-Seguros RGA team. The veteran Spaniard has just had his contract renewed with the team for a seventh year, his 17th in the pro ranks.

Arroyo spoke exclusively this offseason with CyclingQuotes, where we discussed a number of topics ranging from his 2016 to young talents on his team.

“2016 has been a sweet and sour season. We could say we started very well in the first part of the season. But in the second part, when I should have been good, in La Vuelta España, I was not due to health problems. But if I have to make up my mind, I am satisfied,” Arroyo told CyclingQuotes.

Arroyo, 36, freely admits he is the experienced rider on the team and discussed his role as a veteran rider on what is always a very young team.

“The truth is the years do not pass by slowly. I am the “granfather” of the Caja Rural-Seguros RGA team, but I am also made up with all the young people in the team, to see their dream to become great cyclists, that means I can contribute with my experience and it is very rewarding for me.”

After so long as a pro, is Arroyo sure that 2017 will be his last as a pro? His answer was very simple and straightforward: “Not for the moment, I am in a young team and therefore, until now, I feel young also.”

For Arroyo, he has had a good season, although his Vuelta didnt go as planned. But he had some very respectable results in 2016 as a GC rider. Second overall in Turkey and fourth in Castilla y Leon stand out as the highlights.

“The great result of Turkey and other races are what gives me the motivation to continue riding on a bike. I still enjoy what I do so much and my engine allows me to continue pedalling.”

After 17 years, Arroyo is still to win a GC as a profesional. Even at his old age he was close in Castilla y Leon. Does he still harbour ambitions of winning a race overall?

“No doubt this is a motivation to keep doing things right. When you dream about things, that means you are close to achieving them and if you continue on the right path one day you will catch them.”

Arroyo’s biggest reult came back in 2010, when he was second overall in the Giro while riding for Caisse d’Epargne. After losing the Maglia Rosa on stage 18. Does he feel he should have won that Giro or does the second place feel so beautiful still?

“Time passes very quickly, but I remember the race like it was yesterday. All the memories that I have are very nice. I do not have any bad thoughts about second place. That Giro had a fair winner (Ivan Basso ed.)”

As an experienced veteran who has achieved success at Grand Tour level, what does he make of his younger teammates and the way the team has become renowned for its ability to produce top riders for WorldTour teams?

“The team is doing an excellent job with the younger guys. This truth is shown by the results of all the young people who have been through the team and they are now triumphing elsewhere. There is now a very young team with a lot of potential and a lot of work ahead. I could not tell you which one of them has the brightest future of the current crop, there are a lot of talented guys and others that you have to give them time to keep developing but it is clear that there is a lot of quality in this group of young people.”