Roberto Heras
Roberto Heras Hernández (born 1 February 1974 in Bejar, Spain) is a professional cyclist who has won the Vuelta a España (Tour of Spain) a record-equalling three times.
Heras turned professional in 1995 racing for the Spanish cycling teamKelme. From 2001, he raced alongside Lance Armstrong on the US Postal Service team. As a climbing specialist, he greatly assisted Armstrong's progress in the mountain stages of the Tour de France. However, Heras achieved his highest finishing position to date in the 2000 Tour when he was fifth.
He had, however, already established himself as a contender for leading honours in other Tours. He was fifth overall and a stage winner in the 1997 Vuelta, sixth (and another stage victory) a year later, and was on the podium in third place in 1999; that year he also finished sixth and won a stage in the Giro d'Italia. His first Vuelta win came the following year, 2000 (when he also won two stages and the points classification), followed by two consecutive victories in 2003 and 2004. To date, he has won eight stages in the Vuelta.
At the end of the 2003 season, he left US Postal to become the leader of the Spanish Liberty Seguros team. He was thought to be a contender for the 2004 Tour de France, but was forced to abandon after the 16th stage due to illness.
His victory in the 2004 Vuelta a España was his third overall victory in the race, a record he shares with Tony Rominger.
Accomplishments
- 2004 – DNF
- 2003 – 34th
- 2002 – 9th
- 2001 – 15th
- 2000 – 5th
- 1999 – 6th
Categories: Cycling stubs | 1974 births | Spanish cyclists