22-year-old Euskaltel cyclist quits pro racing to pursue AI career

The young Spaniard has balanced his Business Data Analytics studies at the University of Mondragón with his cycling career for the past four years, first with Laboral Kutxa before joining Euskaltel's professional ranks in 2024.

Zubeldia made his mark in 2023 with several national victories including the Memorial Cirilo Zunzarren and Santikutz Klasika before competing in races like the Tour of AlUla, Tour of Jura, Circuit de Getxo and Route d'Occitanie. He also represented Spain in the elite national championships and the 2024 European U23 Championships.

While building his cycling career, Zubeldia simultaneously established himself as a data analyst. During his time with Laboral Kutxa, he conducted detailed performance analyses of both his own metrics and his teammates', which the team regularly published on their official social media accounts.

In his retirement announcement, Zubeldia expressed gratitude for what cycling taught him: "I have developed key competencies like discipline, teamwork, and the ability to act under pressure. The desire for continuous improvement as a cyclist in a high-performance context has allowed me to work with cutting-edge professionals in multiple fields. It has been truly enriching to learn about and apply the latest advances in performance sciences, nutrition, and aerodynamics."

However, he also acknowledged the hidden costs of professional cycling: "Over time, I have understood that the price of success often remains hidden: the risk of high-speed falls (with consequences that, unfortunately, we all know too well), the dark side of becoming perfect 'pedalling machines' (chronic fatigue, a weakened immune system, long-term health consequences), and so many other aspects that we set aside in the blind pursuit of performance."

This combination of factors gradually shifted his career focus. "Big Data and Artificial Intelligence attracted me more and more. In a short time, they went from being a simple university subject to becoming the north of my professional future. In fact, as soon as I made my debut in the top category, I was clear that this was the path I wanted to follow," explained Zubeldia.

Now a recent university graduate, he will focus on Big Data and AI for the 2026 season while maintaining his connection to cycling. As he clarified: "That said, without stopping pedalling."