After his involvement in the Operacion Puerto, Oscar Sevilla has been unable to return to the highest level but he has continued to win lots of races outside Europe. However, the Spaniard admits to being disappointed by the lack of recognition from his home country.

Oscar Sevilla, a Spanish rider who rides in Colombia for most of the year, has shared some interesting thoughts in the newspaper "La Tribuna de Albacete". The Spaniard explains how it is for him to be riding outside his home country after he has mainly been on foreign teams since he was involved in the Operacion Puerto doping case.

"I have improved," he says. "That means I am motivated. I'm still the same professional, doing things with the same affection, maybe even more because I now know my body better and know what I mean. But what really makes me better is my vision. I have the same desire as when I joined Kelme in 1997. I want to succeed, to win and to contribute as much to cycling as possible."

At 38 yeard of age and 17 seasons at the pro level in several different countries and under various conditions, Sevilla has a vast experience. "At this point, you don't have to prove anything to anyone. I want to enjoy my time with the people I like, those who follow me and those who have always believed in Oscar Sevilla. I just like to do my work, be professional and enjoy what I do. I like to celebrate the triumphs with people that love me, with my team EPM-UME. I appreciate both the economic and personal support. At this point in my career I'm on the bike because I enjoy it. It's about passion, not about necessity."

Sevilla is not ready to retire year. "I know that I will one day have to say that enough is enough and Oscar Sevilla is not going to retire at a poor level. I feel great. I have started my pre-season and I am more comfortable with every passing year. There will probably be a time when the body says no but when I am here, it is because I have had a healthy lifestyle. I have preferred to stay at home and not go out in the night to take a few drinks. Almost all year I have been dedicated to the bike. The key is to train and I will continue as long as I enjoy it. The day when I wake up and don't want to train because it's cold and when I lose the training discipline, it's time to quit."

In 2014, Sevilla won 24 races and he intends to continue his winning fashion. "I have renewed my contract with the team for another year and when I retitre I plan to stay in the cycling world, either in a technical role, as a director. I don't know what but I want to stay in the sport which is what I like. I think I have much to give. I have a lot of passion and that should help me to teach others. That's what I would do. I can lead a professional team because I have the license of the Spanish Federation."

There is only one main guide in Sevilla's life: "Cycling is my life, if I were reborn, I would not change anything because it has taught me a lot and I love cycling."

He is no longer bothered by the past and enjoys his life. "The truth is that I am happy. Yes, I have felt anger and helplessness in the past but I think you have to enjoy life. Here's Oscar Sevilla who have always been the same. If you don't like me, I have no problem. I don't care about those who criticize me either. If that makes them happy, so be it."

Nonetheless, Sevilla has had come clashes with the Spanish sports system. "Throughout Latin America, I am treated like an idol and in Spain there are also people who love me. But it is true that I feel neglected by some people like when I led the UCI America Tour and no one from the Spanish Federastion congratulated me. Or when I won the Tour of Colombia twice and nobody from the Spanish embassy were there. In fact, I have been there for five years and I have never visited the embassy of my cown country even though I am Spanish citizen."