Roberto Heras Hernandez was born on 1 February 1974 and is a Spanish former professional road bicycle racer who won the Vuelta a Espana a record four times.
13 Facts About Roberto Heras
2.
Roberto Heras won a record-tying three times, and then broke the record with a fourth win in 2005, but he was eventually disqualified after being accused of taking EPO.
3.
In June 2011, Roberto Heras successfully appealed against the disqualification in the civil court of Castilla y Leon, and this decision was upheld in the Spanish supreme court in December 2012.
4.
Roberto Heras turned professional in 1995 for the Spanish cycling team Kelme.
5.
Roberto Heras achieved his highest position in the Tour when he finished fifth in 2000.
6.
Beloki finished 2nd overall in the stage as Roberto Heras came in 3rd with both riders behind Armstrong who finally launched his attack for the stage win.
7.
The next day in Stage 12 Roberto Heras set such a furious pace on the final climb that all of Armstrong's rivals were dropped with the exception of Beloki except this time it was Heras who crossed in 2nd while Beloki took third.
8.
Roberto Heras had already established himself as a contender for honours in other Tours.
9.
Roberto Heras was fifth and a stage winner in the 1997 Vuelta, sixth a year later, and third in 1999; that year he finished sixth and won a stage in the Giro d'Italia.
10.
Roberto Heras was thought to be a contender for the 2004 Tour de France but abandoned after the 16th stage due to lack of fitness.
11.
Roberto Heras entered the Vuelta a Espana and won, equalling Tony Rominger's record three wins.
12.
Roberto Heras appealed, alleging inaccuracies in the testing and mishandling of his samples.
13.
Roberto Heras appealed this decision in the civil court of Castilla y Leon, and was successful.