"If he decides to retire in July we can't make him ride one more meter on a bicycle" said Banesto Manager Jose Miguel Echavarri laconically.
Indurain is 31 years old, born July 16 1964 and has only one serious rival that is older than him, Tony Rominger born 1961. (Chiappucci is born 1963, but his career has been going downhill for a couple of years.) Laurent Jalabert and Alex Zulle are both born 1968, Evgeni Berzin and Abraham Olano are born 1970.
However, Indurain has clearly stated that he will ride the Vuelta ciclista a Espana one more time before he retires. 1991 was the last time he rode his home tour and finished in second place behind Melchior Mauri. Big differences between the Banesto team and Vuelta organisers Unipublic has been the main reason for his abstention. So, if he decides to retire after the 1996 season it will mean participation in Vuelta 96.
His leaving seems to have taken the Banesto management totally by surprise, no replacement has yet been found. He also left before he had submitted the training plans for the Banesto riders for the build-up to next season.