Juan Antonio Flecha is one of cycling's top northern Classic specialists - although to date his only big one-day win was the now-defunct Championships of Zurich in Switzerland back in 2004.
Born in Argentina but of Spanish nationality, Flecha turned pro with tiny Spanish squad Fuenlabrada in 2000 before signing with the better-known Banesto in 2002.
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Although Classics are his top speciality, Flecha's first big win came after he attacked a break to solo home for a stage win in Toulouse in the 2003 Tour de France.
Pipped on the line in Ghent-Wevelgem in 2005 by Nico Mattan in a controversial finale, Flecha bounced back for a third place in Paris-Roubaix. In 2007, he finished second in the Hell of the North, and this year scored his best result ever in Flanders - third behind Stijn Devolder and Nick Nuyens.
After some strong Classics results with Rabobank, despite not netting a big win, the Spaniard joined the fledgling Sky team to bolster its Classics squad.
Results
2010
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
2008
Circuite Franco-Belge; overall
2004
Giro di Lazio
Championship of Zurich
2003
Tour de France; stage
2001
Bicicleta Vasca; stage
Tour of Aragon; stage
GP Mitsubishi; overall
GP Mitsubishi; stage
GP Mitsubishi; stage
Juan Antonio Flecha photos
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