Pedro Pablo Pérez Explained

Pedro Pablo Pérez
Fullname:Pedro Pablo Pérez Márquez
Nickname:"Pedro Pablo"
Birth Date:7 February 1977
Birth Place: Cuba
Weight:197lb
Discipline:Road
Role:Rider
Ridertype:All-around
Amateurteam1:Cuban National Team
Majorwins:2000 Vuelta a Cuba
2000 Vuelta a Uruguay (Stage)
2001 Vuelta a Cuba
2002 Clasico de Ciudad Caracas
2002 Clasico de Ciudad Caracas
2004 Vuelta a Cuba
2006 Vuelta a Chiriqui (Stage)
2006 Vuelta a Costa Rica (Stage)
2007 Vuelta a Cuba
2008 Vuelta a Cuba
2008 Vuelta a Tachira (Stage)
2008 Premio Augustin Alcantara
Show-Medals:yes

Pedro Pablo Pérez Márquez (born February 7, 1977) is a Cuban professional racing cyclist. Known as "Pedro Pablo" by fans and competitors alike, Pérez is a five-time winner of the Vuelta a Cuba, a Pan American Games medalist, many times the National Champion of Cuba and a winner of international cycling events across the globe.

Cycling experience

Pérez is one of the greatest Cuban cyclists of all time. He is a five-time winner of the Vuelta a Cuba (2000, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2008) – second only to his compatriot Eduardo Alonso with six. Pérez represented Cuba in the 2000 Sydney Olympics and qualified for the 2008 Beijing Games.

Career-ending Injury

Pérez missed the 2008 Games after suffering a near-fatal car crash in July.[1] Details are unclear, but it is known Pérez was driving the car (a Lada) at the time when the crash occurred in San Cristobal, Pinar del Rio. Pérez suffered severe cerebral lacerations and spent several days in a coma. A female passenger was reported dead at the scene. He is receiving treatment at the Abel Santamaria hospital in the province of Pinar del Rio. Pérez intended to retire from cycling after the 2008 Olympics.[2]

Palmares

1999
  • 1st in Stage 1 Vuelta al Tachira, Barquisimeto (VEN)
  • 4th in General Classification Vuelta Ciclista de Chile (CHI)
  • in Pan American Games, Road, Winnipeg (CAN)
    2000
  • Vuelta a Cuba:
  • Winner stages 5 and 11A
  • Winner General Classification
  • 1st in Stage 10 Vuelta Ciclista del Uruguay, Montevideo (URU)
    2001
  • Vuelta a Cuba:
  • Winner Prologue, stages 1, 11A and 12
  • Winner General Classification
  • National Road Race Championship
    2002: 1st in Clasico ciudad de Caracas, Elite/U23 (VEN)
  • Vuelta a Cuba:
  • Winner stage 2
  • 3rd place General Classification
  • 1st in Stage 12 Vuelta a Venezuela, Quibor (VEN)
    2003
  • in Pan American Games, Road, Santo Domingo (DOM)
    2004
  • Vuelta a Cuba:
  • Winner stages 1, 2 and 7
  • Winner General Classification
    2005
  • 1st in Stage 6 Vuelta a Venezuela, San Diego de Alcalá (VEN)
    2006
  • Vuelta a Cuba:
  • Winner stages 1, 6 and 9
  • Winner General Classification
  • 2nd in National Championship, Road, Elite, Cuba (CUB)
  • 1st in Stage 9 Vuelta a Chiriqui, David (PAN)
  • 1st in Stage 2 Vuelta a Costa Rica, Playas del Coco (CRC)
  • 1st in Stage 9 Vuelta a Costa Rica, Pérez Zeledón (CRC)
    2007
  • Vuelta a Cuba:
  • Winner stages 4 and 5
  • 2nd place General Classification
  • 1st in Stage 2 Vuelta a Costa Rica, Playas del Coco (CRC)
  • 1st in Stage 4 Vuelta a Costa Rica, Upala (CRC)
  • 1st in Stage 9 Vuelta a Costa Rica, Santa Ana (CRC)
    2008
  • 1st in Stage 3 Vuelta al Tachira, Ciudad Bolivia (VEN)

    Other

    Pérez is the father of one child (a son, from his first marriage), and is currently married to Yoanka González, herself a World Champion in cycling.

    Notes and References

    1. News: Cuban cyclist Perez in coma from car crash, will miss Beijing Olympics . Reuters . July 22, 2008.
    2. News: Cuban Cycling Great Pedro Pablo Perez Wakes from Coma . Cuban News Agency . July 22, 2008.