Pedro Pablo Pérez
# Pedro Pablo Pérez

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. 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.

## 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
    Cuba 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.

