José Azevedo

Infobox Cyclist
ridername = José Azevedo


image_caption =
fullname = José Bento Azevedo Carvalho
nickname = "The Ace"
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1973|09|19
country = POR
height = 5'7" (170 cm)
weight = 134 lbs (61 kg)
currentteam = Sport Lisboa e Benfica
discipline = Road
role = Rider
ridertype = Climbing specialist
proyears = 1994–1995
1996–2000
2001–2003
2004–2006
2007–
proteams = Recer-Boavista
Maia-MSS
ONCE
Discovery Channel
Sport Lisboa e Benfica
majorwins = Deutschland Tour, 1 stage
flagicon|Portugal Individual Time Trial Champion (2001)
updated = July 21, 2006

José Azevedo (born 19 September 1973 in Vila do Conde, Grande Porto) is a Portuguese professional road racing cyclist. In 2006, he rode for the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team on the UCI ProTour. 2007 sees Azevedo riding for Portuguese team SL Benfica.

His principal career successes have been fifth overall at the 2001 Giro d'Italia, sixth overall at the 2002 Tour de France and fifth overall at the 2004 Tour de France. He also made a second place in the Germany Tour, just behind Michael Rogers. He won the queen-stage of the german competition.

Until the year of 2005 he was a renowned domestique, that is to say, his primary role was to serve as Lance Armstrong's lieutenant in mountain stages, specifically, stages which take place in the Pyrenees Mountains. Nicknamed 'the Ace', he moved to US Postal (now Discovery) from the now-defunct Team ONCE in 2004.

Azevedo claimed the highest finish in the general classification amongst his Discovery Channel teammates in the 2006 Tour de France, finishing 19th overall, 38 minutes and 8 seconds behind race winner Floyd Landis.

To be able to spend more time with his family, Azevedo opted for a home team. He is now the leader of the Benfica cycling team. Azevedo finished his career at the end of the Tour of Portugal 2008.

Major achievements

;2001: 5th, Overall, Giro d'Italia;2002: 6th, Overall, Tour de France;2003: 1st Deutschland-Tour stage 5;2004: 5th, Overall, Tour de France;2005: 10th, Overall, Tour de Georgia;2006: 4th, Overall, Dauphiné Libéré

External links

*trapfriis|portugal.Azevedo.htm