Former Tour de France runner-up Beloki retires

MADRID, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Spanish rider Joseba Beloki, the runner-up in the Tour de France behind Lance Armstrong in 2002, announced his retirement from competitive racing on Friday.

"I have gone 18 months without competing and have fought against the wind and the tide to get a number on my back, but it has been impossible," Beloki told a news conference.

The 34-year-old said he hoped to continue working in the world of cycling in some capacity.

Beloki achieved podium finishes at the Tour de France in 2000 and 2001, coming in third on both occasions.