Luis León Sánchez life and biography

Luis León Sánchez Gil, born 24 November 1983 in Mula is a Spanish road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam Caisse d'Epargne. He rode for team Liberty Seguros-Würth from 2004 until 2006, when he moved to the Caisse d'Epargne team following the collapse of the Liberty Seguros-Würth team in the wake of the Operación Puerto doping case. He is a time trial specialist and over the last years has improved his climbing skills.

Leon is not his surname but he carries it as a middle name/second surname as a mark of respect to his Grandfather originally, but since late 2006 also as a tribute to his eldest brother, Leon Sanchez, who died in a motorbike accident. His younger brother, Pedro León Sánchez Gil, is a professional footballer. His other brother, Antonio Leon Sanchez also plays football, but indoor football.

Palmarès

2004
1st Stage 3 Clásica Internacional Alcobendas
1st Stage 1 Vuelta a Asturias

2005
1st Jersey yellow.svg Overall, Tour Down Under
1st Stage 3
1st Young rider's competition
1st Stage 3 Clásica Internacional Alcobendas

2006
1st Jersey white.svg Young riders Competition winner, Paris-Nice
2nd Overall Tour Down Under
2nd Overall Vuelta a Castilla y León
3rd Overall Three Days of De Panne

2007
1st Jersey yellow.svg Overall, Vuelta a Mallorca
3rd Overall Paris-Nice
1st Stage 6

2008
1st Stage 7 Tour de France
Jersey red number.svg Combative rider for Stage 7
1st MaillotEspaña.PNG National Time Trial Champion
5th Overall Paris-Nice
1st Stage 7

2009
1st Stage 8 Tour de France
1st Jersey yellow.svg Overall, Tour Méditerranéen
1st Jersey yellow.svg Overall, Paris-Nice
1st Stage 7
1st Stage 1 Tour du Haut Var
5th Overall Vuelta al País Vasco
1st Stage 1

2010
1st MaillotEspaña.PNG National Time Trial Champion
1st Jersey yellow.svg Overall, Circuit de la Sarthe
1st Stage 1
2nd Overall Volta ao Algarve
1st Stage 5
2nd Overall Tour Down Under
1st Stage 5
2nd Overall Paris-Nice
4th Overall Volta a Catalunya

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