Alberto Contador

Who Is Alberto Contador?

Alberto Contador is a Spanish cyclist considered one of the greatest in the history of the sport, renowned for his climbing and time-trialing abilities. He is a two-time winner of both the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia, and a three-time winner of the Vuelta a España, making him one of the few cyclists to achieve the prestigious Triple Crown of cycling. Contador’s career is marked by his dominance in mountain stages and being the fifth rider in history to win all three Grand Tours. He has been awarded numerous accolades, including the Royal Order of Sports Merit in 2008 and the Golden Bicycle on four occasions.

What is his Background?

Alberto Contador developed an interest in cycling at the age of 12, influenced by his brother Fran. At 15, he joined the Unión Ciclista de Pinto team and soon after moved to the Real Velo Club Portillo in Madrid, where he quickly showcased his talent, particularly in mountain stages. In 2003, he made his professional debut at the Challenge de Mallorca, achieving his first victory in the Tour of Poland time trial.

In 2004, Contador suffered a severe brain hemorrhage that forced him to stop competing, but he returned in 2005, winning the queen stage of the Tour Down Under in Australia. In 2007, while with the Discovery Channel team, he won his first Tour de France, becoming the sixth Spaniard to do so. The following year, riding for Astana, he cemented his place among cycling’s greatest by winning both the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España.
In 2013, he and his brother Fran founded the Alberto Contador Foundation, aimed at promoting cycling and raising awareness about stroke, a condition that affected him. Throughout his career, Contador amassed 7 Grand Tour victories, along with wins in prestigious races such as Paris-Nice, the Vuelta al País Vasco, and the Tirreno-Adriatico.