Miguel Induráin, an eternal legend of Spanish cycling

"The body endures more than the mind" quote from the Spanish cyclist considered one of the best in the world. We are talking about the sports legend Miguel Induráin, 57 years old, who was winner of five Tours de France (1991-1995) and of the Giro d'Italia for two consecutive years ( 1992 and 1993), as well as Time Trial World Champion (1995) and holder of the hourly record for two months (1994).

In addition to his multiple victories in the Tour de France, Miguel Induráin won several laps in one-week stages and one-day classics, most notably the Volta a Catalunya, Paris-Nice, the Clásica San Sebastián, the Spanish Road Championship and the Dauphiné Libére. Keep reading and discover more about the life and biography of Miguel Induráin, an eternal legend of Spanish cycling!

BIOGRAPHY OF MIGUEL INDURÁIN

Miguel Induráin was born on July 16, 1964 in the Navarrese town of Villava, the place where he began cycling as a member of the Villavés Cycling Club. He was the second of five children and always had a passion for cycling. Despite the age of Miguel Induráin, he began very early in this world, while working with his father in the fields.

His first card from the Spanish Cycling Federation, in the cadet category, dates from 1978. It was not until 1984 that the cyclist made his debut, winning the Spanish Amateur Championship with the Reynolds team. It is in that year when Miguel Induráin turns professional, participating in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA.

WORLD RECOGNITION

In 1989, Miguel Induráin becomes the first and only Spaniard to have won the Paris Nice and the International Criterium. The following year he achieved numerous victories in short races, until he won the Tour de France for the first time, and so on for five years. When he won the Giro d'Italia in 1992, people began to talk about Miguel Induráin as a great in cycling, and two years later he was crowned as an invincible cyclist in long races.

In 1993 she got the silver medal in the road race of the World Championship. A year later, he breaks the hour record, a classic test that had been abandoned by many road runners, however, the Swiss Tony Rominger manages to surpass him.

After that, the Spanish cyclist conquers prestigious events such as the Midi Libre and La Dauphiné Libéré. He won the gold medal in the World Cup in Colombia, in the time trial, and the silver medal in the road race.

Miguel Induráin participated in the Atlanta 96 Olympic Games, winning the gold medal in the time trial. He was awarded the Prince of Asturias Award for Sports.

It is not until January 2, 1997, that the Spaniard announces his intention to retire from professional cycling.

COMPETITIONS AND RACES

The list of winners of Miguel Induráin is proof of why he is considered the best Spanish cyclist of all time and one of the best athletes in the world. Below is the list of competitions and races in which Miguel Induráin participated during his sports career:

• 1984

1 stage of the Tour of the Future

• 1985

2 stages of the Tour of the Future

• 1986

Tour of the Future, (2 stages)

• 1987

Vuelta a los Valles Mineros, (3 stages)
Trophy C.F de Navarra
2 stages of the Catalan Week
Climb to Txitxarro, (1 stage)

• 1988

Volta a Catalunya, (1 stage)
1 stage of the Tour of Cantabria
1 stage of the Tour of Galicia

• 1989

Paris-Nice
International Criterium, (1 stage)
1 stage of the Tour de France

• 1990

Paris-Nice, (1 stage)
Clásica de San Sebastián
1 stage of the Tour de France
3rd in the Spanish Road Championship
1 stage of the Tour of the Basque Country
1 stage of the Tour of the Valencian Community
1 stage of the Tour of Burgos

• 1991

Tour de Vaucluse, (1 stage)
2nd in the Vuelta España
2 stages of the Basque Bicycle
Tour de France, (2 stages)
Volta a Cataluña, (1 stage)
3rd in the Road Cycling World Championships
2nd in the FICP Ranking

• 1992

1 stage of the Tour de Romandie
Giro d'Italia, (2 stages)
Spanish Road Championship
Tour de France, (3 stages)
1 stage of the Castilla y León Trophy
Volta a Cataluña
Circuit de l'Aulne
FICP Ranking

• 1993

1 stage of the Tour of Murcia
Giro d'Italia, (2 stages)
2 stages of the Tour of the Mining Valleys
Tour de France, (2 stages)
2nd in the Road Cycling World Championship
2nd in the Spanish Road Championship
Castilla y León Trophy, (1 stage)
Clásica de los Puertos
UCI Ranking

• 1994

1 stage of the Tour of the Valencian Community
Tour de l'Oise, (1 stage)
3rd in the Giro d'Italia
Tour de France, (1 stage
1 stage of the Castilla y León Trophy
Hour record: 53.040 km
Spanish record 5 km — 5 min 43,947 s
Spanish record 10 km — 11 min 20,097 s
Spanish record 20 km — 22 min 38,510 s
2nd in the UCI Ranking

• 1995

1 stage of the Vuelta a Aragón
1 stage of the Vuelta a los Valles Mineros
Vuelta a La Rioja, (1 stage)
2 stages) of the Vuelta a Asturias
Midi Libre
Dauphiné Libéré, (1 stage
Tour de France, (2 stages)
2nd in the World Road Championship
World Time Trial Championship
Vuelta a Galicia, (1 stage)
3rd in the UCI Ranking

• 1996

Vuelta al Alentejo, (2 stages)
Vuelta a Asturias, (1 stage)
Basque Bicycle, (1 stage)
Dauphiné Libéré, (2 stages)
Olympic Time Trial Championship

RETIREMENT FROM PROFESSIONAL CYCLING

In 1989, when his international fame began and he became the first and only Spaniard to have won the Paris Nice and the International Critérium, he joined his prestigious Banesto team the following year, which is where he managed to achieve his greatest hits. Consecutive achievements in the 1991-1995 Tour de France, in the 1995 World Championship, the 1996 Olympic Championship and the Paris-Nice tournaments in 1989 and 1990, among many others.

Miguel Induráin shows his dissatisfaction with the team due to the obligation to run certain tests, and that is why he breaks his relationship with José Miguel Echavarri, director of Banesto and the entire team. It is there where he doubts whether or not to retire completely from his sports career. Several months of negotiations took place, and it is on January 2, 1997 that Miguel Induráin officially announces his retirement from professional cycling, in a public statement at a hotel in Pamplona.

AFTER HIS REMOVAL

During his official statement, the Spanish athlete explains some of the reasons for his withdrawal:

“I have been in professional cycling for twelve years, I have ridden big and small tours, national championships, world championships and even the Olympics. In these years I have had great satisfaction from the victories achieved but it has also cost me a lot of effort and sacrifice to obtain them. Being at the highest level demands a lot from oneself and with each passing year it becomes more difficult to achieve it.” - Miguel Indurain Larraya.

Of course, add your family as a compelling reason. The athlete married in 1992, had Miguel Induráin son in December 1995, and stressed that his family has also been waiting for him. There is currently a sports support foundation in Navarra and it bears his name, being the honorary president. In his hometown Villava, they have dedicated a square, a sports center and a sculpture to him. In addition to that, the Comunidad Foral de Navarra Trophy has been named after him since 1999. The Spanish athlete was always admired by teammates and rivals for his great qualities as a cyclist. Given his great career, he is a special guest at cultural actors, to participate in talks and benefit acts.

Miguel Induráin is, in short, a benchmark in the world of professional cycling. Although he is retired from his sports career, he still actively participates in cycling events and competitions.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

• Mendrisio de Oro 1992
• Bicicleta de Oro 1992 and 1993; and 2nd in 1994 and 1995
• Athlete of the Year 1993 – United Press International
• Gold and diamond medal from the Royal Spanish Cycling Federation in 1997
• IOC Olympic Silver Order in 1995
• Olympic Order of the Spanish Olympic Committee in 1997
• Gold Medal for Sports Merit of Navarra
• Legendary Brand 1997
• Best Spanish athlete of the 20th century (El Mundo Deportivo)
• Universal Spanish Award 2002
• he Was named one of the most outstanding cyclists in history when he was elected in 2002 to be part of the Inaugural Session of the UCI Cycling Hall of Fame
• Number 5 of the “Classification of the 100 greatest cyclists of all time” of the UCI Cycling Hall of Fame

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MIGUEL INDURÁIN

How old is Miguel Induráin?

Miguel Induráin was born on July 16, 1964 in the Navarrese town of Villava, the place where he began cycling as a member of the Villavés Cycling Club. He was the second of five children and always had a passion for cycling.Despite the age of Miguel Induráin, he began very early in this world, while working with his father in the fields. Currently the age of Miguel Induráin is 57 years old and he is still active in cycling events and competitions.

In what year did Miguel Induráin become recognized worldwide?

In 1989, Miguel Induráin becomes the first and only Spaniard to have won the Paris Nice and the International Criterium. The following year he achieved numerous victories in short races, until he won the Tour de France for the first time, and so on for five years. When he won the Giro d'Italia in 1992, people began to talk about Miguel Induráin as a great in cycling, and two years later he was crowned as an invincible cyclist in long races.

In what years, did Miguel Induráin win the Tour de France?

The glorious years of Miguel Induráin were from 1991 when he won the Tour de France for the first time, being the first year of 5 consecutive times (1991-1995). In turn, he was the winner of the Giro d'Italia for two consecutive years (1992 and 1993), World Time Trial Champion (1995) and hourly record holder for two months (1994).

Who is Miguel Induráin son?

Miguel Induráin married in 1992 and had a son in December 1995. His name is Miguel Indurain López de Goicoechea. A fan of cycling like his father, a sport that is linked to his lineage. Miguel Induráin Jr. has chosen Mallorca to start his personal and professional stage in his studies in Business Administration and Management.

In what year did Miguel Induráin retire from his sports career?

Miguel Induráin shows his dissatisfaction with the team due to the obligation to run certain tests, and that is why he breaks his relationship with José Miguel Echavarri, director of Banesto and the entire team. It is there where he doubts whether or not to retire completely from his sports career. Several months of negotiations took place, and it was on January 2, 1997 that Miguel Induráin officially announced his retirement from professional cycling, in a public statement at a hotel in Pamplona.Miguel Induráin won the Tour de France on multiple occasions before his official retirement in 1997.