Veteran Pro Cyclists Mancebo and Sevilla Defy Age, Continue Racing
Francisco Mancebo, 48, and Oscar sevilla, 47, are continuing their professional cycling careers well into their late 40s, challenging conventional expectations of longevity in the demanding sport. Both riders have recently secured victories and show no immediate signs of retirement, despite speculation surrounding their futures.
The pair’s continued success highlights a growing trend of veteran athletes extending their careers through dedicated training and evolving strategies. Mancebo, a former Grand Tour contender, and Sevilla, a rider wiht a notable palmarès including a Vuelta a España points classification win, represent a unique case study in athletic endurance and passion for the sport. their ongoing participation impacts team dynamics, inspires aspiring cyclists, and raises questions about the limits of performance at an advanced age.
Mancebo recently stated, “When it becomes tough for me to get up and train, I’ll retire. That moment, for now, hasn’t arrived.” His last professional win was at the 2023 Tour of Hainan, and he also won an amateur stage race in the Dominican Republic in March.Reports last month indicated the Tour de Kyushu would be his final race, but he refuted those claims on social media, stating, “I haven’t said anything about retiring yet.” He is set to race in China in 2026 for his 13th professional team, having ridden for squads in Spain, France, Portugal, the USA, Greece, the UAE, the Dominican republic, and Japan.
Mancebo’s recent victories include stage 1 of the Tour du Sahel in Mauritania in January. He was once a Grand Tour challenger, achieving multiple top 10 finishes at the Tour de France and vuelta a España.
