Famous Spanish Cyclists

Alejandro Valverde Belmonte is a retired Spanish cyclist who competed professionally in road bicycle racing from 2002 to 2022. He currently competes in gravel cycling for the Movistar Team Gravel Squad. Valverde achieved 133 professional victories during his career, winning prestigious races such as the Vuelta a España, Critérium du Dauphiné, and Liège–Bastogne–Liège multiple times. Known for his versatility, he excelled as a climber, sprinter, and time-trialist. Valverde holds numerous records and is considered one of the most successful cyclists in history.

Carlos Sastre Candil is a former Spanish professional road bicycle racer known for his victory in the 2008 Tour de France. He excelled in the Vuelta a España and Tour de France, showcasing his climbing abilities and improving his time trial skills. Sastre consistently ranked in the top ten in fifteen Grand Tours, always finishing on the podium. Despite competing at a high level, he has never been associated with doping scandals, earning him the nickname "Don Limpio" or "Mr. Clean" in the cycling world.

Enric Mas Nicolau is a Spanish racing cyclist currently riding for UCI WorldTeam Movistar Team. Known for his climbing abilities, Mas has achieved impressive results in world tour stage races, consistently finishing in the top 10. He has also demonstrated his talent by securing a stage win at the Tour of the Basque Country. Mas continues to make a name for himself in the professional cycling world, showcasing his strength and skill as a competitive rider.

Joaquim Rodríguez Oliver is a Spanish cyclist known for his successful career in road bicycle racing from 2001 to 2016. He competed for various teams and achieved notable victories, including fourteen Grand Tour stage wins and five overall podium finishes in major races like the Giro d'Italia, Vuelta a España, and Tour de France. Rodríguez also excelled in classics such as La Flèche Wallonne and Giro di Lombardia. After retiring from road racing, he transitioned to mountain bike racing and established his own team, Andbank–La Purito.

Roberto Heras Hernández is a Spanish former professional road bicycle racer known for his impressive achievements in the Vuelta a España. He won the prestigious race a record four times and consistently performed well, finishing in the top 5 every year except one. Despite facing accusations of doping and a subsequent disqualification, Heras fought back and successfully appealed the decision in court. His determination and legal battle ultimately led to his reinstatement as the 2005 Vuelta champion by the Spanish cycling federation.

Juan José Cobo Acebo was a Spanish professional road racing cyclist known for his climbing abilities and time trial skills. He achieved his most significant success by winning the 2011 Vuelta a España while riding for Geox–TMC. However, in July 2019, he was stripped of this title after being found guilty of doping by the UCI. The UCI's decision was based on a doping violation revealed by Cobo's biological passport data, tarnishing his professional cycling career.

Alberto Contador Velasco is a Spanish former professional cyclist known for his success in winning multiple Grand Tours, including the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, and Vuelta a España. Considered a natural successor to Lance Armstrong, he achieved victories with different teams, showcasing his skills as a climber and time-trialist. Despite facing challenges such as a doping scandal, Contador continued to excel in the sport, demonstrating his ability to strategically turn races in his favor and secure impressive victories throughout his career.

Carlos Rodríguez Cano is a successful Spanish cyclist known for his impressive career with UCI WorldTeam Ineos Grenadiers. He has established himself as a talented and dedicated athlete within the cycling community. With his strong work ethic and determination, Carlos has achieved notable successes in various competitions. His commitment to the sport and ability to perform under pressure have earned him a reputation as a valuable asset to his team. Carlos continues to strive for excellence and is recognized as a promising talent in the world of cycling.

Miguel Induráin Larraya is a retired Spanish road racing cyclist known for his remarkable achievements in professional cycling. He won five Tours de France consecutively from 1991 to 1995, making him the only cyclist to achieve this feat. Induráin also won the Giro d'Italia twice and wore the yellow jersey in the Tour de France for an impressive 60 days. His nickname "Big Mig" reflects his physical size and dominance in the sport, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest cyclists of all time.

Eduardo Castelló Vilanova was a Spanish professional racing cyclist known for his participation in prestigious cycling events such as the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España. Throughout his career, he achieved notable victories including a stage win in the 1968 Tour de France and successes in various national and regional championships. Castelló's dedication to the sport was evident through his consistent participation in major races, showcasing his skills and determination as a competitive cyclist.

Samuel "Samu" Sánchez González is a Spanish retired professional road bicycle racer who competed between 2000 and 2017 for Euskaltel–Euskadi and BMC Racing Team. He achieved significant success, including winning the gold medal in the road race at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Sánchez excelled in hilly classics and stage races, known for his exceptional descending skills. He secured high rankings in prestigious events such as the Tour de France and Vuelta a España, winning the Vuelta a Burgos in 2010, the 2012 Tour of the Basque Country, and multiple stages in the Vuelta a España.

Jesús Luis Ocaña Pernía was a Spanish road bicycle racer known for his impressive achievements in professional cycling. He won the Tour de France in 1973 and the Vuelta a España in 1970. Ocaña was particularly remembered for his daring solo breakaway during the 1971 Tour de France, where he briefly held the Yellow Jersey before an unfortunate crash forced him to abandon the race. Despite facing setbacks, Ocaña consistently performed well in the Vuelta a España, finishing in the top 5 seven times in a row.

Óscar Freire Gómez, a Spanish former professional road bicycle racer, was renowned for his sprinting prowess in road cycling. He achieved significant success throughout his career, winning the world championship three times and Milan–San Remo three times. Transitioning into a classics rider later on, he also claimed victories in the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España. Despite his small stature, Freire's training approach set him apart, focusing on shorter distances compared to his peers, showcasing his unique methods and determination in the sport.

Pedro Delgado Robledo, also known as Perico, is a Spanish former professional road bicycle racer who achieved significant success in the sport. He won the 1988 Tour de France and the Vuelta a España in 1985 and 1989. Delgado also attained top 10 finishes in eighteen Grand Tours. Despite testing positive for a masking agent during the 1988 tour, he continued racing as the substance had not yet been banned by the sport's governing body. Delgado now serves as a sports commentator for Televisión Española during major cycling events.

Miguel Poblet Orriols was a highly successful Spanish professional cyclist from 1944 to 1962. He achieved over 200 victories during his career and made significant contributions to cycling history. Poblet was known for being the first Spanish rider to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour de France and for winning stages in all three Grand Tours in a single year. He excelled in classic races like Milan-San Remo, demonstrating both sprinting prowess and climbing abilities. Poblet's nickname, "La Flecha Amarilla" (the Yellow Arrow), reflected his speed and skill on the bike.

Domingo Perurena Telletxea, known as Txomin Perurena, was a highly successful Spanish professional road racing cyclist. His career was highlighted by winning the overall mountains classification in the 1974 Tour de France. He achieved significant success in the Vuelta a España, finishing second in 1975 and winning a total of 12 stages. With an impressive 158 professional wins, Perurena holds the record for the most victories by a Spanish rider in the sport's history. His contributions to cycling will be remembered and celebrated.

Marino Lejarreta Arrizabalaga is a retired Basque professional road racing cyclist known for his notable victories in prestigious cycling events. He achieved significant success in his career, including winning the 1982 Vuelta a España and being a three-time champion of the Clásica de San Sebastián. Lejarreta also secured victories at the Volta a Catalunya in 1989 and 1980. His accomplishments in these Grand Tour stage races and one-day classics solidify his status as a respected and accomplished cyclist in the professional cycling world.

Miguel María Lasa Urquía is a renowned Spanish former road bicycle racer known for his impressive achievements in major cycling competitions. Throughout his career, he showcased exceptional talent by winning stages in the Vuelta a España, Tour de France, and Giro d'Italia. His notable successes include clinching the Points classification in the 1975 Vuelta a España and securing podium finishes multiple times in the Vuelta a España. Lasa's participation in the 1968 Summer Olympics further highlights his dedication to competitive cycling at the international level.