Iván Loaisa

The Andalusian is privileged because he lives at the foot of a mountain pass of more than 2,000 metres in altitude, kilometres long and with absolutely quiet routes where traffic is not abundant and the existing traffic is very respectful. A paradise for cyclists in the Sierra de Baza of the Penibetic System. A neighbouring mountain to Calar Alto, much more mediatic. Such is the particular paradise of this young resident of Caniles who came to cycling seduced by his experiences in the school category. “My father used to go out on a mountain bike and I went out with him once, it was him who got me into the habit of cycling. One day, to try it out, he took me to a school race and I really liked the atmosphere. I had a great time. I rode for a while as an independent, then I started with a team that we set up in the village, in Caniles, and for two years as a cadet I was with Indeso in Jerez de la Frontera”, says Loaisa, who was runner-up in the Andalusian gymkhana.  In 2022 he made the leap to the junior category already in the discipline of the Contador Foundation. “I like watching cycling in general, but Alberto Contador has made me enjoy his style of racing. He always tried it. He was very brave”, explains Loaisa who, when it comes to defining himself as a cyclist, points out: “At this age I feel complete, I’m good on all terrains, but it’s true that it’s uphill where I feel the best. In the area I have good terrain to train on. At the end, next to my house we have the ascent to the Puerto de Escúllar, we call it ‘the limit’, and I usually climb it quite a lot. Some days up to the middle, other times up to the top, another time I go up and down the other side to do it the other way round on a route that will take you 100 km with 2,500 metres of elevation gain… Eight or nine times a year it ends up falling like this”.