91st Giro d'Italia - GT

Italy, May 10-June 1, 2008

Giro d'Italia winner Contador arrives home

Giro d'Italia winner Alberto Contador, 25, celebrated in his hometown of Pinto, Spain
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini

Spain's Alberto Contador of Team Astana was celebrated in his hometown of Pinto one day following his victory in the Giro d'Italia. The 25 year-old had been drafted by his team to contest the three-week Italian race while on vacation with his girlfriend and went on to win it ahead of Italy's Riccardo Riccò (Saunier Duval-Scott).

Contador was honoured by his team and its sponsors Sunday evening in Milano, following the final stage. One day later, he was warmly welcomed back to his hometown of Pinto (near Madrid). Greeted by a few hundred fans at Madrid's Barajas Airport, Contador preceded to the Real Casa de Correos de la Puerta del Sol, where he was honoured by Madrid's Mayor Esperanza Aguirre. In front of 2000 Contador supporters and cycling fans, Mayor Aguirre praised the rider for capturing the race overall win and recognised him as a champion of fair play and clean cycling. He was later paraded in a convertible automobile to his Pinto neighbourhood, where he was embraced by local supporters wearing pink shirts with the message, 'Pinto con Alberto Contador. Gracias Campeón.'

Due to Team Astana's non-invite to the Tour de France, Contador will have most of July free and is looking forward to returning to vacation.

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

• Giro d'Italia winner Alberto Contador, 25, celebrated in his hometown of Pinto, Spain.
• Outside of the city hall: Spain's Alberto Contador of Team Astana celebrated for winning the 2008 Giro d'Italia.
• Alberto Contador on the balcony of the city hall in his hometown of Pinto, Spain.
• Spain's Alberto Contador display's the trophy won at the three-week Giro d'Italia.
• Alberto Contador recently added the maglia rosa of the Giro d'Italia to the maillot jaune won at the Tour de France last July.
• Alberto Contador arrives in his hometown of Pinto, Spain, after winning the 2008 Giro d'Italia.
• Spaniard Alberto Contador added the maglia rosa of the Giro d'Italia to the maillot jaune won at the Tour de France last July.
• Alberto Contador, 25, added the Giro d'Italia's maglia rosa to the maillot jaune won at the Tour de France last July.