From childhood he was passionate about gutting bicycles, messing with the pieces, fiddling with the handlebars and the chain sprockets. That curiosity became a competitive interest in its youth and professional stages. When Lance Armstrong surprised at the start of a time trial with special tubular, the Madrid responded with a latest generation footwear. «Alberto has always been attracted to everything related to technology. He has always been up to date, ”says Fran Contador , brother and manager.

Faustino Muñoz , his trusted mechanic, also witnesses his obsession with perfecting the technique. For Contador, bicycles are pieces with their own personality, each brand has its uniqueness. His enthusiasm for machines has led him to create his own line. A new adventure for a tireless former cyclist in the promotion of cycling. «I want to give this sport, something of how much he gave me», the winner of the Tour, Turn and Turn.

The creature's research and development process has lasted more than 18 months, and now, with the start of the season, Alberto Contador debuts as a bicycle designer. The closed circle for Madrid: broker, equipment owner, television commentator and now, manufacturer. Cycling as a whole for an ambitious project, with its own stamp. Contador has met with engineers to create an ultra light bike, very suitable for climbing. The Madrid has had the collaboration of Italian Ivan Basso , friend and partner. «The great experience accumulated by Alberto in all his professional years has resulted in this bicycle. She's the one she always wanted to have, ”warns Fran.

Presentation in Oliva

This initiative started on Monday, with the presentation, in Oliva (Valencia), of the teams sponsored by the Alberto Contador Foundation. The riders of the Continental, sub 23 and junior teams will carry the new bike. In the past seasons they used the Specialized and Trek brands, which from now on will be adversaries in a very competitive market. The intention is that in the next spring, the new machines can be marketed for fans and teams.

They will fight with some companies that have dared to sponsor first level squads, such as Trek, Merida, Orbea or Cervélo. The new bike is called Abikes, but this name may not be final. Those who have used it say that it stands out for its lightness: «It is comfortable, comfortable, fast and safe. It is good to climb. All the force of the pedaling goes directly to the frame, conserving all the power, without losing a watt ».

At least 6.8 kg

The key to its lightness lies in its lightweight carbon fiber frame. In the Contador environment they keep the weight of the machine secret, but the ICU establishes that it cannot be less than 6.8 kilograms. The brakes are disc and the color, matt black. "It is very versatile, mixes the speed of the bicycles of the plain with the lightness of those designed for the ascent," say his relatives. «We have been working with the best for over a year and a half to offer the best bike on which I have ridden. I am like a small child, ”Contador has written on his social networks.

Abikes was one of the main demands of the presentation of the Kometa-Xstra Cycling teams of the Contador Foundation, which supports a cycling school in Pinto and three sports structures: the junior and sub 23 teams will have 13 runner templates and the category one Continental, 12. Since 2013, the beginning of the sports project, it has become a very fruitful quarry, direct trampoline to the elite. In the last eight courses, more than 30 runners have achieved professionalism, among them Enric Mas , Fernando Barceló , Álvaro Cuadros , Carlos Rodríguez , Juan Pedro López , Isaac Cantón , Matteo Moschetti and Michel Ries .

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