Alberto Contador (opens in new tab) has been chosen for the 2014 Vélo d'Or after the traditional poll of international journalists held by France's Vélo Magazine.
The honour was started in 1992 when Miguel Indurain won his first of two awards. Since then it has gone to a variety of riders: Philippe Gilbert (opens in new tab) topped off his amazing season in 2011 with the nod from the press, while Bradley Wiggins (opens in new tab) and Chris Froome (opens in new tab) won in 2012 and 2013 respectively after their victories in the Tour de France.
At the end of a tumultuous year in which he spectacularly crashed out of July's Tour de France (opens in new tab) only to return to dominate and win the Vuelta a Espana (opens in new tab), Contador becomes the first person to win the prestigious award for a fourth time (of course, only after Lance Armstrong (opens in new tab)'s five wins were removed from the records).
After a very - and at times surprisingly - successful year for French cycling, Jean-Christophe Péraud saw off stiff competition to win the Vélo d'Or Français after his second place finish (opens in new tab) in the Tour de France.
The awards won't be officially confirmed until the next issue of Vélo Magazine is published later in October, with the ceremony taking place later in the year.
Alberto Contador abandons Tour de France after crash
Tinkoff-Saxo leader Alberto Contador forced to withdraw from Tour de France after fracturing tibia in crash
Alberto Contador wins 2014 Vuelta a Espana
Overall favourites ride final time trial cautiously in wet conditions; Adriano Malori wins stage
Alberto Contador aiming for Giro d'Italia and Tour de France in 2015
Alberto Contador aiming for three consecutive Grand Tours after winning 2014 Vuelta a Espana
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
-
'Don't use the bike': OPEN recalls all of its Campagnolo Ekar-equipped bikes and framesets
In Cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, OPEN Cycle has sent out a recall for all its Campagnolo Ekar-equipped gravel and road bikes.
-
Tour of Flanders 2023: Five men and five women to watch on Sunday
Taking a closer look at the favourites ahead of this year's Ronde van Vlaanderen
-
Alberto Contador hugely impressed with current level of talent: 'Cycling is living one of its best moments'
The Spaniard has singled out Tadej Pogačar for praise in what he claims is a 'golden generation'
-
Alberto Contador: 'I thought about coming back - I wanted to ride Giro 2020'
Contador reveals how highly his physical condition was during the lockdown last year
-
Alberto Contador sets off on 1,600km ride after his team won a stage of the Giro d’Italia
The retired Grand Tour star promised to take on the huge ride to celebrate the major win for his ProTeam
-
Alberto Contador fails to finish brutal 240km ‘Everest’ Gran Fondo
The Grand Tour-winner turned recreational cyclist admitted he was not prepared for the huge day in the saddle
-
Alberto Contador suffers fracture after an accident at home
Alberto Contador has been forced to rest and recover suffering a fracture in an accident at home.
-
Lachlan Morton’s Everesting record has been broken…by Alberto Contador
The Everesting records continue to tumble as Lachlan Morton has now lost his title after three weeks.
-
Alberto Contador auctions bike from 2011 Giro d’Italia and Tour de France to aid coronavirus fight
Alberto Contador is selling his special edition bike from the 2011 Giro d’Italia and Tour de France.
-
Alberto Contador hospitalised with fever and stomach problems
The Spaniard is in Colombia and was scheduled to take part in Rigoberto Urán's Giro de Rigo event
