Spanish rider Francisco “Kiko” Galván has announced a pause from professional cycling after being dismissed from Kern Pharma following a viral video incident near Barcelona. In October, footage surfaced showing the 28-year-old repeatedly riding in the wrong lane, bunnyhopping medians. After he posted it on Instagram, and a whole lotta people viewed the clip, it prompted the team to take disciplinary action.
Galván took to Instagram (again) to share a post about his sitch. “I never thought so many people would see the video,” he wrote, adding how things went south for him, quick. “I always thought it was just a handful of us crazy people. This year, I had to sell my car after being kicked out of the team. I walked home from the dealership. That’s when I understood how fast everything can change.”
He described training in black clothing ever since, not for style, but because it mirrored how he felt inside. Or something. “Even so, people recognize me, stop me, ask questions. I smile, but inside I feel ashamed. Shame for having failed everyone. And for disappointing my parents, my friends, my girlfriend — she’s been the only one holding me up when everything fell apart.”
Galván emphasized that he was not seeking sympathy. “I made a mistake. Mistakes have consequences, and I’m paying them. I apologize to anyone affected. Leaving the bike doesn’t hurt. I lived cycling as I wanted — with my heart, without half measures. What hurts is feeling that I let my people down. That’ is he hardest part.”
He concluded by saying, “Today I don’t say goodbye. I just pause. I breathe. And I move forward, as I can, but with my feet on the ground.”
Basically, the lesson here is: Don’t do dumb stuff. And if you do, certainly don’t post on social media. (Like, what are you thinking, amigo?)
Galván has ridden with Kern Pharma since 2020, when it was a Continental team. Since then, the Spanish squad has been at the ProTeam level.