GCN+ Legend

Alberto Contador was one of the greatest runners of his generation; one of only seven runners to have won all three Grand Tours: the Giro d'Italia, the Vuelta España and the Tour de France. His selling point was the explosive power on the climbs, but his career was built on something much more than just physical ability. Contador's success came thanks to his mental strength. In 15 years of a top career, he suffered from a near-fatal brain problem, struggled with bitter rivals such as Andy Schleck, Chris Froome and Lance Armstrong, and was embroiled in scandals and controversy. Bernie Eisel meets Alberto in his hometown, Pinto, Spain; he sees his life after retirement and spends time knowing his truth behind the headlines, to learn more about this true cycling legend.

Bernie Eisel goes to Spain to meet his former Mapei teammate and three-time World Championship winner Oscar Freire with the aim of finding out more about the most successful Spanish sprinter. Starting from Torrelavega, Bernie joins Oscar for a ride around his hometown and learns how his childhood helped him become a famous sprinter, later he will follow Oscar in one of his training rides through the beautiful mountains of Cantabria, thus discovering the secret of his success. The pair will then look to Oscar victories including three editions of the Milan-Sanremo, three World Championships and his successes at the Tour de France. We will then listen to a former Mapei partner, and longtime friend, Pedro Horrillo - who will explain why Oscar is known in the world of cycling as 'The Cat'.

Meet the man who excited a cycling nation during the two periods when he wore the yellow jersey at the Tour de France. Thomas Voeckler was a brave runner and striker who faced the strength of Lance Armstrong, Cadel Evans and the Schleck brothers, and his exploits at “La Grand Boucle” left a long legacy on French cycling, inspiring the generation of runners of today like Julian Alaphilippe. In this "Legends" footage, GCN en Français presenter Florian Chabbal spends some time with Voeckler at his home in the Vendée and meets the men who have been by his side during the two attempts to conquer the "yellow mesh".

Alan Marangoni meets former team mate, two-time Giro d’Italia winner, and cycling legend; Ivan Basso, to learn more about a career that scaled the highest highs and lowest lows. ‘Ivan the Terrible’ was one of the great all-rounders of the noughties peloton, twice finishing on the podium of the Tour de France and taking more than 30 career victories. In the later part of his career, he raced with Alberto Contador, forging a friendship which led to their ownership of the Eolo-Kometa professional team. We hear from a fellow legend, Alberto Contador, while Alan and Ivan go blackberry picking on his farm before heading out to race up the local climbs. It is an intimate, honest portrait of an Italian cycling icon.