"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

Cycling tips for the Christmas season

We have found the lowest price for the new Oakley Meta Vanguard, and they could be the best glasses on the market

What is the normobaric chamber that some cyclists are using to recover better? Is it doping?

Nukeproof arrives at the XCO World Cup and is developing a 32-inch bike

Van Aert loses the sprint to Del Grosso in the Superprestige Heusden-Zolder

Today it's Van Aert's turn: schedules, favorites, and where to watch the Superprestige Heusden-Zolder

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.