EuroPeloton Cycling Awards 2008: Rider of the Year, Alberto Contador

When it comes to stage racing, Contador has no peers.

The "EuroPrime" for 2008 rider of the year goes to Astana's stage racing ace Alberto Contador. The 25 year old super star was able to take two of the three grand tours for 2009, a feat that has not been accomplished since Italian great Marco Pantani pulled the Giro d'Italia/Tour de France double in 1998. Contador won the Giro by riding defensively after late notification that his team Astana was allowed to contest the event, and then he dominated his home tour in September, distancing his closest rival, teammate Levi Leipheimer by 46 seconds and Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre by 4:16. That he won no individual stages at the Giro, yet was able to take the overall win reveals the fact that as strong as he is physically on the bike, he is at least as strong tactically as well.

If 2007 was the year that Alberto Contador arrived as a star, 2008 was the year that he notified the cycling world that he is the best stage racer in the world, bar none. In addition to his two grand tour wins, he also won the overall titles at the Vuelta Pais Vasco and the Vuelta a Castilla y Leon. When on form, Contador is almost unbeatable, and with the dominant Astana team at his service, 2009 should see him contend for rider of the year honors again. He has already made it clear that the 2009 Tour de France will be his top priority, as he tries to win the biggest stage race in the world for the second time.

Honorable mention for rider of the year goes to Alejandro Valverde, who had an excellent season in his own right, taking two classics wins (Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Clasica San Sebastian), the Pro Tour overall title, his national road title, and the Dauphine Libere stage race. Although the "green bullet" failed to take a grand tour overall win, he still performed admirably at the Tour de France, finishing 9th overall after taking two stage wins and the yellow jersey. At the Vuelta in September, he placed 5th behind Contador and won stage two. I he had managed to win at the world championships in Varese last September, Valverde would have passed Contador for rider of the year. Thanks to all who have voted, and keep your votes coming for the other catagories!

Tomorrow: Best grand Tour Performance.