Sergio Mantecón

Name Sergio Mantecón

Age 40 Years

Nationality Spain

Discipline XC | Gravel

Awards

🥈 2nd - European Championship XCO, Moscow (2012)

🥇 1st - Spanish Championship XCO (2010, 2012)

🥇 1st - Spanish Championship XCM (2008, 2011, 2012, 2022, 2023)

🥈 2nd - UCI World Cup XCO, Albstadt, Germany (2013)

🥈 2nd - UCI World Cup XCO, Windham, USA (2012)

Where did you grow up, and how has your hometown shaped who you are?

I learned to ride bikes in Málaga, and when I turned 18, I moved to Alicante, where I really started training and racing seriously.

What would you say is the single most important event or moment in your life that shaped who you are today?

Sports don’t work like math where 2+2 always equals 4. But they do follow common sense: the harder I work, the luckier I get.

If you had to describe your style (on or off the bike) in three words, what would they be?

Sacrifice, consistency, and motivation.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

When I was younger, I had a lot of distractions. So, the best advice I could give myself would be: stay focused on what truly matters and what makes me happy.

Do you have a favourite destination for vacations or trips?

I love places that combine beaches, mountains, and warm weather.

If you had a free weekend to do anything, how would you spend it?

After spending most of the year traveling, I love just chilling on my couch.

If you could live in any era or place in history, where and when would it be?

The '80s.

If your life had a soundtrack, what would be the theme song?

Hall of fame – The script

What’s something about you that most people wouldn’t guess?

I love playing chess.

What’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you while riding?

I’ve seen a lot out on the trails, but for me, the best thing is riding deep in the mountains with no noise—just nature, the sound of the wind, and the animals around me.