MANCEBO FACTFILE DOB: 9/3/1976 Nationality: Spanish Best Tour: Seventh - 2002 |
At just 27 years old, Mancebo has already enjoyed a superb record in the Tour de France. As a 23-year-old he stunned many with his 28th place and surprised again a year later when he picked up the white jersey for the best young rider - finishing ninth overall.
From there, the Spaniard was tipped for future Tour greatness but endured a brief dip when he was 13th in 2001.
Time trialling let him down that time as it did last year when he lost more than six minutes in the two stages against the clock to Lance Armstrong.
Mancebo still managed seventh overall and, if he can marginally lift his times on the solo stages, he is surely a contender for a podium finish.
Despite his high finish, he was still only the third highest Spanish finisher in the event.
Much is expected of the ibanesto.com rider and, due to his early promise and his overall finishes so far he has already been tipped as the "new Miguel Indurain".
The next couple of years will tell if he can pass the test.
MMIX
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