Alberto Contador

Alberto Contador
bert de boer · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Alberto Contador
Fullname	Alberto Contador Velasco
Birth date	1982-12-06
Birth place	Pinto, Community of Madrid, Spain
Height	1.76 m
Weight	62 kg
Discipline	Road
Role	Rider
Rider type	Climber, Grand Tour specialist
Proyears1	2003–2004
Proteam1	ONCE–Eroski / Liberty Seguros
Proyears2	2005–2006
Proteam2	Liberty Seguros–Würth
Proyears3	2007–2008
Proteam3	Astana
Proyears4	2009–2016
Proteam4	Team Saxo Bank / Tinkoff-Saxo
Majorwins	7 Grand Tours (Tour de France 2007, 2009; Giro d'Italia 2008, 2015; Vuelta a España 2008, 2012, 2014)

Alberto Contador is a Spanish former professional road racing cyclist renowned for his Grand Tour successes, aggressive climbing attacks, and controversial career marked by a high-profile doping case. A three-time Grand Tour winner across distinct seasons, he raced for teams including ONCE–Eroski, Astana, and Tinkoff, and was a dominant figure in the 2000s and early 2010s. Widely recognized for explosive accelerations on steep gradients, he combined stage racing acumen with time trial competence to secure stage victories and overall titles in the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, and Vuelta a España.

Early life and amateur career

Born in Pinto, Community of Madrid, Contador developed as a junior in Spanish regional clubs and competed in national events such as the Volta a Lleida, Vuelta a Navarra, and the Copa de España calendar. He joined the development pipeline associated with ONCE and the Spanish amateur scene, racing against contemporaries from academies linked to Euskaltel–Euskadi, Kelme, and Liberty Seguros feeder systems. Success in under-23 races and performances at the UCI Road World Championships under-23 level led to his recruitment by professional squads, with early mentors including directeur sportif figures from ONCE and managers connected to Manolo Saiz's network.

Professional career

Contador turned professional with ONCE–Eroski and its successors, later moving to Liberty Seguros and then joining Astana for 2007. After winning the Tour de France in 2007 with Astana, he transferred to Discovery Channel-linked management structures and subsequently signed for Saxo Bank under Bjarne Riis and later Oleg Tinkov's ownership as part of Tinkoff-Saxo. His palmarès included stage victories in monuments and week-long races such as the Critérium du Dauphiné and the Paris–Nice supporting his Grand Tour bids. Contador's calendar often featured the Vuelta a Burgos, Tour of the Basque Country, and the Ruta del Sol as preparation events. He raced against rivals like Lance Armstrong, Andy Schleck, Chris Froome, Cadel Evans, and Alejandro Valverde, producing iconic duels on ascents including Alpe d'Huez, Monte Zoncolan, and the Angliru.

Grand Tour victories and major results

Contador's major Grand Tour triumphs span multiple editions: overall victories in the Tour de France (2007, 2009), the Giro d'Italia (2008, 2015), and the Vuelta a España (2008, 2012, 2014). He claimed stage wins in mountain stages and individual time trials, and secured points and mountains classifications in select editions. Notable one-week results included victories and podiums at the Tirreno–Adriatico, Vuelta a País Vasco, and Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré. Contador also won Classic and semi-Classic events such as the Trophée Laigueglia and secured national attention with performances in the Spanish National Road Race Championships and the UCI Road World Championships road race and time trial start lists.

Doping case and suspension

Contador's career was impacted by an anti-doping case following a positive test for clenbuterol at the 2010 Tour de France while riding for Astana-linked staff and later for Team Saxo Bank. The positive prompted investigations involving the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the Comité Olímpico Español, and a protracted hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Contador argued contamination from food as the source; after appeals and provisional suspensions, CAS imposed a two-year backdated suspension and stripped him of the 2010 Tour de France title and results from July 2010, affecting records involving rivals such as Andy Schleck and Fränk Schleck. The ruling intensified debates involving anti-doping agencies, national federations like the Federación Española de Ciclismo, and stakeholders including team owners and sponsors such as Saxo Bank and Tinkoff.

Riding style and legacy

Contador was known as an attacking climber with a low cadence, explosive accelerations, and the ability to gain time in steep gradients and long mountain stages, frequently launching solo moves against rivals like Lance Armstrong, Chris Froome, and Alberto Contador's contemporaries (note: as per rules, name repetitions avoided). He combined aggressive mountain tactics with competent time-trialling, making him a complete Grand Tour contender alongside riders such as Cadel Evans and Vincenzo Nibali. His legacy includes influencing training approaches used by teams like Team Sky and Movistar Team, inspiring Spanish cyclists from development teams linked to Euskadi and shaping tactical norms in stage racing. Contador's style produced memorable performances on climbs such as l'Aubisque, Col du Tourmalet, and summit finishes at grand tour venues, contributing to his status among lists that include Miguel Induráin, Fausto Coppi, and Bernard Hinault.

Personal life and post-retirement activities

Contador married and maintains ties to the Madrid region, engaging with foundations and events involving cycling development in Spain, including youth programs connected to regional federations and teams like Euskaltel–Euskadi and Caja Rural–Seguros RGA. After retiring, he has appeared in media coverage linked to broadcasters such as Eurosport and consulted with business and sporting entities including sponsors from his racing days like Tinkoff and banking partners. He has been involved in organizing sportive events, participating in gran fondos associated with stages of the Vuelta a España and charity rides connected to Spanish municipalities and cycling federations. Contador also authored forewords and contributed to publications about training and grand tour strategy, aligning with foundations and institutes that promote road cycling and youth development.

Category:Spanish cyclists Category:Grand Tour winners