"I had to sell my car after I was kicked off the team": Kiko Galván announces a pause in his career after publicly apologizing

The Spanish cyclist Kiko Galván has announced that he is pausing his sports career after being dismissed from Team Ken Pharma. The dismissal came after a video was published on social media showing him riding recklessly on an open road, dangerously invading the opposite lane, a behavior that generated strong controversy and criticism both inside and outside the peloton.

Kiko Galván acknowledges his mistake and pauses his sports career

The team's reaction was immediate and forceful. Ken Pharma opted to terminate his contract, marking a turning point in the cyclist's career. Since then, Galván has maintained a low profile until the release of a personal statement in which he expresses regret, shame, and acceptance of responsibility, as well as announcing his decision to temporarily halt his activity as a professional cyclist.

In the text, the cyclist acknowledges the real impact that cycling has and the public exposure it entails: “I never thought that so many people would watch cycling. I always thought we were just a few crazy ones.” Galván explains how his departure from the team had immediate consequences in his personal life, to the point of being forced to sell his car and face a radical change in his day-to-day life.

RECOMENDADO

Why does Pogacar attack while sitting?

Cycling shorts vs underwear: ultimate guide to not ruining your outings

What are the five monuments of cycling?

How much time would a professional cyclist take out on an amateur in a race?

The calorie trap: eating less does not always mean losing weight

Why do most cyclists wear their glasses outside their helmets?

The tone of the statement is deeply introspective. Galván speaks candidly about the shame of having let down his closest circle and makes it clear that he is not seeking sympathy or justifications: “I made a mistake. A mistake has consequences, and I am paying for them. I apologize to anyone who has felt affected.”

Far from announcing a definitive retirement, the cyclist insists that this is a pause, a necessary break to regroup. “Today I am not saying goodbye. I am just stopping. I am breathing. And I will move forward, as best as I can, but with my feet on the ground,” he concludes, leaving the door open for a possible return when personal and sporting circumstances allow.

The case of Kiko Galván reopens the debate on the responsibility of professional athletes on social media, road safety, and the example they set for fans and young cyclists. A reminder that, in an increasingly exposed sport, every gesture counts.