Rider profile: Juan Jose Cobo

JUAN JOSE COBO

Date of birth: 11/02/81

From: Torrelavega, Spain

Nickname: The Buffalo

Team: Geox-TMC

Previous teams: Sauner Duval-Prodir (2004-2009), Caisse d'Epargne (2010)

Juan Jose Cobo career profile

After several years marked by flashes of brilliance, Juan Jose Cobo shot from the shadows to Vuelta a Espana victory and consistency in the autumn of 2011.

After taking the leader's jersey with stage victory on the steep Angliru climb, he held off dogged challenger Chris Froome all the way to Madrid.

It was a rapid turnaround for strong climber Cobo. Months before his Vuelta win, "the Buffalo" had been considering giving up the sport.

The 30 year old sees cycling as his profession rather than a passion. He has struggled with depression and motivation in recent years.

His best season beforehand came in 2007, when he won a stage and the overall of the Tour of the Basque Country.

At the 2008 Tour de France, he attacked and finished second to teammate Leonardo Piepoli on the stage to Hautacam, who later tested positive, giving Cobo victory weeks later.

Two days later, the whole team pulled out, embroiled in a scandal that also affected Riccardo Ricco.

Save a poor year with Caisse d'Epargne, Cobo has stayed under the wing of managers Mauro Gianetti and Joxean Fernandez throughout his career.

Juan Jose Cobo results

2011

Vuelta a Espana, overall

Vuelta a Espana; stage 15

2009

Vuelta a Espana; stage 19

Vuelta a Castilla y Leon; stage four

2008

Tour de France; stage ten*

Vuelta a Burgos; stage five

Volta a Portugal; stage nine

2007

Tour of the Basque Country; overall

Tour of the Basque Country; stage five

2003

Vuelta a Navarra; stage

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