With Domingo (Txomin) Perurena Telletxea (Oyarzun, December 15, 1943) the Spanish cyclist with the most victories disappears: 158, ahead of Alejandro Valverde (133). Size number indicates, by force, a sprinter. Txomin was: the best after the incomparable trail of Miguel Poblet. but not only. It cannot be such an exclusive specialist who, in 1974, won the Mountain Prize in the Tour. Not even who was champion of Spain in the mountains, in addition to twice in line, in 1971, 1973 and 1975. And who took the Subida al Naranco.

In addition to being a sprinter, someone who accumulates such a high number of first places must necessarily have been very long-lived. Brilliant as an amateur, Perurena was a professional between 1963 and 1979 in four teams (Fagor, Fagor Mercier, Kas and Teka), leading sponsors in the history of Spanish cycling. Perurena is associated with the best season of all of them, especially Kas.

He did not win any stage in the Tour. Nor any of the flamenco classics, not within our reach then. This “deficiency” perhaps made him less important in the eyes of the amateur after his years of validity. But not in the eyes of his contemporaries, who admired him for his 12 stages in the Vuelta and his 31 days in yellow. No one has worn it for so many days without winning it. But, secondly, he was on the verge of doing so in 1975. He lost the golden garment, at the hands of Agustín Tamames, in the second sector, a 32 km time trial of the last stage, precisely in San Sebastián. He enjoyed a 119″ lead over the rider from Salamanca, who was 133 seconds ahead of him. He also finished fourth in 1977, fifth in 1974 and sixth in 1972.

Fifth in the World Cup

He won two stages of the Giro and finished fifth in the 1977 World Championship. He saw him win all or/and partially races embedded in the immemorial Spanish calendar: the Vuelta al País Vasco, the Vuelta a Cantabria, the Bicicleta Eibarresa, the Setmana Catalana. His best years were enjoyed in and with Kas. In 1972 he had 30 wins; 20 in 1975; 19 in 1973; 16 in 1971; 15 in 1974. He still won eight in 1978. None with Teka in 1979. And he hung up his bicycle. Later, already as a director (Teka, Orbea, Artiach, Euskadi) he won the Vuelta with Marino Lejarreta (Teka) and Pedro Delgado (Orbea).

He was also an excellent “pistard”, who, in the company of José López Rodríguez, animated the Six Days of Madrid (third in 1966).

He has an outstanding place in the great history of Spanish cycling.