Spanish Bicycle Race

Spain, definitely, has its own fair share of hills and for that reason some hard mountainous parts of the battle, for example, the Alto de el Angliru in Asturias is an 8 mile climb to over 5, 000 legs which, at Cueña les Cabres, features a gradient of 23.6% – among the steepest in Europe. Such climbs make giros a race which matches the climbing professionals in the field and often deters the more sprint-minded cyclists from participating.

As might-be anticipated, Spain features made by far the maximum range winners regarding the final Maillot de Oro – the golden jersey which is the equivalent on journey de France’s yellow jersey. much like other major tours, there are several other colored jerseys to compete for; possibly the many unique being that to discover the best sprinter – a blue jersey with a really fetching yellowish seafood, sponsored, of course, by Spain’s fishing business.

A number of the sport’s most famous brands have-been among the list of winners of La Vuelta, including Bernard Hinault (France) in 1978 and 1983, Eddy Merckx (Belgium) in 1973, Tony Rominger (Switzerland) in 1992, 93, 94, and Jan Ullrich (Germany) in 1999. Spain’s own Roberto Heras had been the champion in 2000, 2003 and 2004.

when you look at the race’s biggest single doping controversy, Heras really was initially announced the champion in 2005 but lost the title after testing good for medications.

Spaniards don’t require many excuses to possess a party and, when giros is in the vicinity, they are going to simply take their flags and banners, camp because of the roadside during the day, consume enough to give a family group for a week and cheer enthusiastically everytime a cyclist goes last, particularly a Spanish one. It’s outstanding outing!

12 MONTHS WINNER COUNTRY EMPLOYEES 2013 Chris Horner American RadioShack-Leopard 2012 Alberto Contador Spain Saxo Bank-Tinkoff 2011 Juan José Cobo Spain Geox-TMC 2010 Vincenzo Nibali Italy Liquigas-Doimo 2009 Alejandro Valverde Spain Caisse d\'Epargne 2008 Alberto Contador Spain Astana 2007 Denis Menchov Russia Radobank 2006 Alexander Vinokourov Kazakhstan Astana 2005 Denis Menchov Russia Radobank 2004 Roberto Heras Spain Liberty Seguros 2003 Roberto Heras Spain U.S. Postal Service 2002 Aitor González Spain Kelme?Costa Blanca 2001 Ángel Casero Spain Festina 2000 Roberto Heras Spain