Alberto Contador Velasco, born on December 6, 1982, in Pinto, Madrid, Spain, is a retired professional cyclist who is widely regarded as one of the greatest climbers and stage racers in the history of cycling. His career, spanning over a decade, is marked by numerous victories in Grand Tours, including the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España. This article delves into the life, career, and highlights of Alberto Contador, providing a comprehensive overview of his journey to fame, his accomplishments, and the controversies that shaped his legacy.
Early Life and Introduction to Cycling
Alberto Contador was the third of four children in a family originally from Barcarrota, a small town in the province of Badajoz, Spain. From a young age, Contador showed a natural talent for sports, initially focusing on athletics and soccer. However, it was his older brother, Francisco Javier, who introduced him to cycling when Contador was just 14 years old. This introduction would change the course of his life.
Contador quickly fell in love with cycling and joined the amateur team Real Velo Club Portillo. His dedication to the sport was evident, and at the age of 16, he made the bold decision to leave school to focus entirely on his cycling career. Under the guidance of Manolo Saiz, the captain of the Iberdrola-Loinaz team, Contador honed his skills and began to make a name for himself in the cycling world.
Early Career and Rise in Professional Cycling
Alberto Contador’s rise in the world of professional cycling was swift. In 2002, he won the Spanish Under-23 Time Trial Championship, a significant achievement that set the stage for his professional debut. In 2003, Contador turned professional with the Once-Eroski team, managed by Manolo Saiz. His first year as a professional cyclist was marked by a victory in the final time trial stage of the Tour of Poland, showcasing his potential as a time trial specialist and stage racer.
In 2004, Contador remained with the team, which had rebranded as Liberty Seguros, and continued to develop his skills. However, his career almost came to an abrupt end when he suffered a cerebral aneurysm during a stage of the Vuelta a Asturias. The incident was a life-threatening event that required immediate surgery, and it kept him away from cycling for several months. Despite this setback, Contador made a remarkable recovery and returned to racing with renewed determination.
Breakthrough and Early Successes
Contador’s breakthrough came in 2005 when he won a stage at the Tour of Romandy, a time trial at the Vuelta al País Vasco, and the overall classification at the Setmana Catalana. These victories established him as one of the most promising young riders in the peloton. The following year, he added to his growing list of achievements by winning another stage at the Tour of Romandy and securing a victory at the Tour de Suisse.
In 2007, Contador made a significant career move by joining the Discovery Channel team, managed by Johan Bruyneel. This decision would prove pivotal, as it led to his first major victory on the world stage. Contador won the prestigious Paris-Nice race and the Vuelta a Castilla y León, but his crowning achievement came at the Tour de France. In a dramatic and controversial race, Contador claimed the yellow jersey, becoming the overall winner of the Tour de France after his main rival, Michael Rasmussen, was suspended.
At just 24 years old, Contador became the youngest rider to win the Tour de France since Jan Ullrich in 1997. In addition to the yellow jersey, he also won the white jersey, awarded to the best young rider, and was named the Velo d’Or for the best rider of the season.
Grand Tour Dominance
In 2008, Contador followed Johan Bruyneel to the Astana team after the Discovery Channel team disbanded. However, his season was complicated by the fact that Astana was banned from participating in the Tour de France due to doping scandals involving previous team members. Despite this setback, Contador focused his efforts on other races and achieved remarkable success.
Contador’s participation in the 2008 Giro d’Italia was a last-minute decision, but it proved to be a masterstroke. Despite being unprepared and having to rely on his natural talent and resilience, Contador won the Giro, securing his place in cycling history. He became only the fifth rider ever to win all three Grand Tours—Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España—an accomplishment that solidified his reputation as one of the greatest stage racers of all time.
Later that year, Contador narrowly missed out on an Olympic medal in the time trial at the Beijing Games, finishing just eight seconds behind the bronze medalist. However, he made up for this disappointment by winning the Vuelta a España, becoming the first Spaniard to win all three Grand Tours.
Continued Success and Tour de France Triumphs
The 2009 season was another standout year for Contador. He won two stages at Paris-Nice, claimed the Spanish National Time Trial Championship, and, most importantly, secured his second Tour de France victory. His dominance in the mountains, particularly during the stage to Verbier, where he took the yellow jersey, was a testament to his climbing prowess. Contador’s performance at the Tour de France was characterized by his ability to withstand the challenges posed by rivals like Andy Schleck, and he ultimately retained the yellow jersey all the way to Paris.
In 2010, Contador continued his winning ways, taking overall victories at the Volta ao Algarve and Paris-Nice, as well as strong performances in other races. He entered the Tour de France as the favorite and did not disappoint, winning his third yellow jersey in a closely contested battle with Andy Schleck.
Doping Controversy and Suspension
Contador’s career took a dramatic turn in 2010 when he tested positive for clenbuterol during a rest day at the Tour de France. The news sent shockwaves through the cycling world, and Contador was suspended by the International Cycling Union (UCI) while the case was investigated. In January 2011, the Spanish Cycling Federation cleared Contador to return to racing, but the UCI and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
In February 2012, the CAS handed down a two-year suspension to Contador, with the ban applied retroactively from August 2010 to August 2012. As a result, Contador was stripped of his 2010 Tour de France title and his 2011 Giro d’Italia victory, both of which were re-awarded to the runners-up.
Return to Competition and Final Years
Despite the suspension, Contador returned to competitive cycling with renewed determination in 2013. He finished fourth in the Tour de France that year, a testament to his resilience and skill. The following year, Contador rebounded strongly, winning the Vuelta a España, including a memorable victory on the stage to La Farrapona. His performances throughout the season earned him second place in the UCI World Tour rankings, behind fellow Spaniard Alejandro Valverde.
In 2015, Contador once again demonstrated his prowess in stage racing by winning the Giro d’Italia. His victory was marked by consistent performances in the mountains and strong time trials, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
Legacy and Impact on Cycling
Alberto Contador’s legacy in the world of cycling is defined by his exceptional talent, relentless determination, and ability to overcome adversity. His climbing ability, particularly in the high mountains, set him apart from his contemporaries and earned him a place among the greatest cyclists in history. Contador’s aggressive racing style and willingness to take risks made him a fan favorite and a formidable competitor.
Throughout his career, Contador faced numerous challenges, including health issues, doping controversies, and fierce competition. However, he consistently proved his resilience, returning to the top of the sport time and time again. His achievements in the Grand Tours, particularly his victories in all three of the sport’s most prestigious races, are a testament to his versatility and endurance as a cyclist.
Contador’s impact on the sport extends beyond his race results. He has been an inspiration to a new generation of cyclists, particularly in Spain, where he is regarded as a national hero. His commitment to clean sport and his advocacy for anti-doping measures, despite the controversies that marred his career, have also contributed to his legacy.
Final Thoughts
Alberto Contador’s career is a story of triumph, resilience, and unwavering dedication to the sport of cycling. His accomplishments in the Grand Tours, his ability to overcome adversity, and his lasting impact on the sport make him one of the most celebrated cyclists of all time. As the cycling world continues to evolve, Contador’s legacy will undoubtedly remain a source of inspiration for future generations of riders.
