It can still scary to for him to see his birth date. In 2016, the year in which he will do his19th season as a professional, Haimar Zubeldia (1977) aims to show a different version compared to what he has done until now during his prolific career. The years pass and fatigue starts to set in, but the Trek veteran refuses to retire. He will only bid farewell when the passion for cycling disappears.

"In 2015 I had a bit of everything. It is true that in the Tour I was not as good as I wanted. During the race I saw that something was wrong, so I finally decided to undergo some medical tests. We found bacteria in my stomach. However, with the team, we decided to do the Vuelta. Initially it was not in my plans, but the directors decided that it could be a positive choice for the season finale,” Zubeldia told Marca.

"I have always enjoyed riding in France. The Tour is definitely a race that I like. I have loved it since I did it the first time in 2001. I am a strong man who goes well as the race goes on. I have a lot of experience lot and know the terrain which really suits my characteristics. I think they're all these ingredients which have allowed me to do well," he said, referring to his five top 10 results

(5th in 2003, 8th in 2006, 4th in 2007, 6th in 2012 and 8th in 2014).

Zubeldia who has been a domestique for Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador in the past, not hide the formula of eternal youth: "The key is to have passion. I respect my injuries and have support from the family. Otherwise it would be impossible."

Teammate Markel Irizar helps him to recharge the batteries.

"It is true that we are like Zipi and Zape (Spanish comic book characters, ed.). We look like a couple who spends all day together. But, as in any good relationship, we find the balance. Now we are on holiday. We just chat on WhatsApp if something is urgent. Then during the season, we are together all the time. Alongside Arredondo, he is perhaps my best friend in the squad," he added. “Mollema and Cancellara are tireless and can have big goals. We are lucky to have them in the team."

The new targets of the Dutchman will allow us to see another version of the Basque.

"We have people like Bauke who can compete for the overall so I no longer have to do that. Now I can enjoy another role and go for stages. That allows you to ride in a relaxed way. When you're fighting for the overall, you sleep worse and you have to maintain the tension every day. You know you cannot fail. Now, going for stage wins makes it easier. If you fail to catch the break one day, it may happen one day later. It’s different and I like it.”

The former Euskaltel and Astana rider who believes "it is time to win a stage because I have so many places of honour," tested his new role in the Vuelta a Espana.

"The team asked me to try. I was closest on the stage to Riaza, where I was on the attack. I tried to make the opponents nervous. I held my advantage for much of the climb, but finally it was impossible (Nicolas Roche beat Zubeldia in a two-rider sprint, ed.). Despite the result, I realized that I can win a stage. I will try to repeat it in 2016.”

He already knows a bit about his schedule.

"After Lombardy we were some teammates who looked at the upcoming year.  For me, almost nothing will change but we still have to look at the overall picture because it is an Olympic year and the team has several objectives.”

In any case, he plans to return to his favourite race, the Tour de France, where he could only manage 62nd in 2015.

"I tried, but in such conditions I could do very little. I ended up with a bad taste, so now I want to compensate for that.”

Despite his age, Zubeldia is still hungry for success.