Oriol Vidal: From rally driving to pro cycling

Former rally champion Oriol Vidal is making a surprising move into professional cycling after a career-ending back injury forced him to retire from motorsports. At 31, the Llambilles-born athlete has signed with the Portuguese UCI Continental team Efapel Cycling for the upcoming season.

Cycling has long been a passion for Vidal, who used the bike for training during his rally career. His injury only affects him with impact, making cycling a suitable alternative.

“I didn’t really get into cycling until I was about 17 years old,” the Catalan cyclist says. “When I was given a road bike as a preparation tool for motorcycling, I realized right away that being on the bike was an amazing feeling, and I could never get enough of it.”

The opportunity with Efapel came during a qualifier at Sea Otter Europe, where Vidal met team rider Alexander Grigoriev. Encouraged to pursue cycling more seriously, Vidal soon entered talks with Efapel’s Sports Director, José Azevedo.

Azevedo was impressed by Vidal’s discipline and athlete mindset. “We want to give him a foundation and see what he can achieve,” he said.

Vidal is now preparing for his first season with the team, focused on learning peloton dynamics and adapting to pro racing. “This is a year of new experiences,” he explains. “I’m grateful for the chance and ready to give it everything.”

This story is part of Nafent Magazine volume 13. Read the full story in our digital or paper magazine. Go to our webshop to get yours.