Javier Otxoa

Javier Otxoa

Javier Otxoa in 2009
Personal information
Full name	Javier Otxoa Palacios
Born	(1974-08-30) August 30, 1974 (age 42) Barakaldo, Spain
Team information
Discipline	Road & Track
Role	Rider
Professional team(s)
1997–2001	Kelme cycling team
Major wins
1 stage - 2000 Tour de France Gold medal - 2004 Summer Paralympics Gold medal - 2008 Summer Paralympics

Javier Otxoa Palacios (born 30 August 1974, Barakaldo, Greater Bilbao, Basque Country) is a Spanish cyclist, formerly of the Kelme cycling team. His name is sometimes spelled Javier Ochoa in media reports.

In 2000 Otxoa won a mountain stage in the Tour de France on top of the Hautacam on a cold and rainy day. He broke away with Nico Mattan with 155 km (96 mi) to race and dropped him on the col de Marie Blanque. Mattan rejoined him on the descent. Otxoa then dropped him again on the climb to the col de l'Aubisque and rode alone through the col du Soulor with nine minutes' lead as he reached the foot of the Hautacam. He paid for his earlier efforts on the hors categorie but held on to finish with 42 seconds advantage Lance Armstrong.

In February 2001 a car hit him and his twin brother Ricardo during training. Ricardo died. Javier survived but was in a coma for a month and became seriously disabled. He continued cycling, however.

In the 2004 Summer Paralympics he won a gold in the road race/time trial event and a silver in the individual pursuit. Otxoa was disqualified during the preliminary round of the individual pursuit (CP 3) at the 2008 Summer Paralympics, for riding too close behind his opponent, Darren Kenny, who had overtaken him. Kenny stated that he was disappointed by this as he would have liked to compete against Otxoa in the final.