Ricardo Otxoa

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Otxoa and the second or maternal family name is Palacios.

Ricardo Otxoa Palacios (30 August 1974 – 15 February 2001) was a Spanish cyclist.^[1]

Ricardo Otxoa

Ricardo Otxoa in 1997
Personal information
Full name	Ricardo Otxoa Palacios
Born	(1974-08-30)30 August 1974 Barakaldo, Spain
Died	15 February 2001(2001-02-15) (aged 26) Cártama, Spain
Team information
Discipline	Road
Role	Rider
Amateur teams
1995	ONCE (stagiaire)
1999	Tegui Videoporteros
Professional teams
1996–1998	ONCE
2000–2001	Kelme–Costa Blanca

Career

Otxoa turned professional with ONCE after riding with the team as a stagiaire the previous year. He stayed on the team for three years, and rode as an amateur in 1999. In 2000, he returned to the professionals, and joined Kelme–Costa Blanca with his twin brother, Javier.

He rode in the 2000 Giro d'Italia, finishing 42nd overall.

Death

On 15 February 2001, Otxoa and his twin brother Javier were hit by a driver of a car during a training ride near Málaga. Ricardo was killed, while his brother survived, facing severe injuries and a coma.^[2]

The Circuito de Getxo has also been held as the Memorial Ricardo Otxoa in memory of Otxoa.

Monument dedicated to Javier and Ricardo Otxoa Palacios in Cheste, Spain

Major results

1999

3rd Overall Volta a Lleida

2000

3rd GP Llodio

See also

• List of racing cyclists and pacemakers with a cycling-related death