“That’s being a sore loser” - Alberto Contador hits back at Giro d'Italia riders complaining about race motos
Cycling
The 17th stage of the Giro d’Italia reignited the debate over motorbikes influencing the race. After the finish, several riders voiced their anger about the alleged aerodynamic aid the breakaway received, a topic later dissected on Eurosport by Alberto Contador and Juan Antonio Flecha.
Flecha noted that these situations have been happening in pro cycling for decades and shared an anecdote from his Quick-Step days with Paolo Bettini.
“I remember Pedro Horrillo telling me when he was a teammate of Paolo Bettini at Quick-Step. They said at Milano–Sanremo, Paolo knew exactly where to attack to hit that corner where the motorbikes would be waiting for the photo.”
The former Catalan pro also touched on possible tech fixes to avoid this kind of controversy: “The technology exists—implement it and that’s one less problem.”
However, Flecha also criticised the immediate post-stage protests: “If the riders who spoke out this time had been the ones benefiting, they wouldn’t say a word.”
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It all belongs to cycling
Contador, for his part, argued that the aero gain doesn’t come only from a motorbike ahead of the break: “The aerodynamic advantage isn’t just about having a motorbike in front, it’s also about the vehicles behind.”
The Spanish legend even cited figures from studies in the field: “There are studies saying that at 47 per hour, if a car is one metre away, you gain three and a half minutes per kilometre.”
Even so, Contador sought to lower the temperature, stressing that these situations have long been part of the sport: “This stuff with motorbikes and cars has always happened. Sometimes it helps you, sometimes it hurts you.”
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He also took aim at riders’ hot-headed quotes at the line: “Crossing the finish and, even in the heat of the moment, showing poor sportsmanship—there’s no need.”
To close the debate, the winner of all three Grand Tours insisted there were multiple tactical and course factors behind the break’s success: “We were on a circuit, and chasing there isn’t the same as on an open highway—it’s a different game with all the bends.”
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- This is a really interesting idea, which, if well prepared could even be very successful. Very little money needs to be involved for a first season and any success could lead to rapid interest from sponsors.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Hmmm, you seem to have a very convenient black and white view of things. Perhaps you haven’t been around much to discover how complex problems can become over time with people who know how to control, manipulate (or worse) others so gradually or subtly that you arrive at an irresolvable situation before you realise. This is how many inconveniences get introduced to the young, naïve, passionate or “desperate”, knowing they are not armed, protected or strong enough to defend themselves once it’s too late. Why do you think omerta culture is so widespread, why do you think so many people continue to go through so many awful things in life that others can’t understand anyone getting into? Life may be far more jolly for you but you would do well to understand (or reflect more on) the real world to refrain from being so quick to criticise those in a hard spot that may have genuine reason for speaking out.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Seriously do you think when somebody gets into a serious accident, the ambulance is called by the hurt person?🤦 there is always a buddy system in place for a risky job. police , firefighters etc so that if someone gets hurt, the other call that in.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
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