The latest in a long line of natural Colombian climbers, he took the king of the mountains jersey and subsequently finished sixth overall in the 2000 race.

He clinched another top 10 place in 2001 and has since proved his best in the sport.

Botero got the better of Armstrong by beating the American into second place in the first time trial of Le Tour.

But he fell away a little in the mountain stages and had to do with fourth place.

The Spanish mountains could suit him better still, particularly without Armstrong to worry about.