A sixteen-year career and two wins: this is the legacy of Xabier Zandio (1977) at the start of the final season of his already long career with Team Sky where he has been one of the most respected domestiques. He has only won twice: in the 2005 Clasica de los Puertas and the 2008 Vuelta a Burgos. In the "The Ride of my Life" series on the Team Sky website, he highlights the latter as the highlight of his career.

“In Caisse d'Epargne we were a strong team with Purito [Joaquim Rodriguez], Dani [Moreno] and Jose [Rujano]. But on the first day into Villarcayo I found myself in the break and I was able to take 29 seconds on all the pre-race favourites. After this, everybody said 'Hey OK, we work for you'. Just like that everything completely switched from my normal role. I remember being very nervous as that is not my world, being a leader. Normally I work for others,” he said.

”The next three stages ended in sprints and I was quite tense, but on the last day I had the strength to win the overall. After all the pressure, when you've finally crossed the line and you can win, it's a great feeling,” added the Spaniard who had to go for the win in the brutal summit finish on the Lagunas de Neila climb.
 

"The next three days ended in sprint, and I was very tense, but in the last day I had the strength to win the general. After all the pressure, crossing the finish line and win is a nice feeling, "says Navarro, who had to play the win nothing less than the top of the Lagunas de Neila. “I'm a heavy guy (laughs). I know I am not a super climber like some of the other riders. It was complicated for me but I was able to win,” he admitted.

However, Zandio is aware of its role in the team. He has been a domestique, both in his early years with Eusebio Unzue’s Banesto (2001-2003), Illes Balears (2004-2005) and Caisse d'Epargne (2006-2010) and then in its final part with Team Sky. 

”I remember when I was younger I was able to win more races. That felt good but this was different. As a professional there is bigger competition and so it is much tougher to win. After the finish all my family and friends were happy and were calling me,” he said.

“I know what my role is in cycling and I know what I am good at - and that is to work for other people. This race I was able to take a chance and things changed. But I know there are going to be team-mates stronger than me. In 15 years - one time! It was a beautiful victory and a day I'll always remember,” added the Spanish who hopes to end his career by doing another grand tour after not having done a three-week race in 2015 – for the first time since 2002.