Former professional cyclist Ángel Arroyo Lanchas died Sunday night at the Complex Assistencial d’Ávila at the age of 70, following a severe illness diagnosed six months ago, local reports show. Arroyo spent nearly two weeks hospitalized in Ávila before his death, according to municipal records.
A Prominent Figure in Spanish Cycling
Born in El Barraco, Ávila, in 1956, Arroyo emerged as a leading figure in Spanish cycling throughout the 1980s. His hometown shares a rich cycling pedigree, serving as the birthplace of other notable riders such as 2008 Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre, José María Jiménez Sastre known as “El Chava,” and Francisco Mancebo.
During his active career, Arroyo competed for the renowned Reynolds team alongside teammates Pedro Delgado and Rubén Gorospe. In 1982, he secured overall victory at the Vuelta a España. However, race officials subsequently disqualified him following a positive doping test during the 17th stage, imposing a 10-minute penalty that dropped him to third place in the general classification. Arroyo consistently denied ever using performance-enhancing drugs.
Reaching the Tour de France Podium
The following year brought Arroyo his most significant career achievement. He finished second overall at the 1983 Tour de France, trailing only French winner Laurent Fignon. That podium finish remains one of the defining highlights of his decade-long professional career.
Arroyo retired from professional cycling in 1989. His era helped lay the groundwork for a golden age of Spanish cycling defined by subsequent champions such as Pedro Delgado, Miguel Induráin, and Alberto Contador.
Ávila Declares Two Days of Official Mourning
Following confirmation of his death on Sunday, the Ávila City Council expressed condolences to Arroyo’s family, friends, and associates. Mayor Jesús Manuel Sánchez Cabrera issued a statement on behalf of the municipal corporation mourning the loss of a rider who spent ten years in the professional peloton and became a national and local sporting reference.
The city government declared two official days of mourning, ordering municipal flags to fly at half-mast. Officials scheduled Arroyo’s lying-in-state chapel to open at noon on Monday at the Palacio de Superunda, the same venue used for the June 2022 memorial of Julio Jiménez.
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