Spanish · Anoeta, Spain · Born 22 January 1970Abraham Olano is a Spanish former road cyclist who became the first man in history to hold both the World Road Race and World Time Trial Championship titles, and won the 1998 Vuelta a España.
Abraham Olano's performance at the 1998 UCI World Championships in Valkenburg produced a unique double — victories in both the road race and the time trial — making him the first male cyclist in history to hold both world titles simultaneously. Hailed early in his career as a potential successor to Miguel Induráin, he turned professional in 1992 and quickly established himself as one of the finest time trialists of his generation. Olano's breakthrough came at the 1995 World Championships in Duitama, Colombia, where he won the road race title ahead of Induráin himself, before adding a silver medal in the time trial at the same championships. He continued to build a decorated career through the mid-1990s, taking Olympic silver in the individual time trial at Atlanta 1996 and finishing on the podium of the Giro d'Italia twice, third in 1996 and second in 2001. Olano completed a rare double at the 1998 World Championships in Valkenburg, winning the time trial title to become the first male cyclist in history to hold both the World Road Race and World Time Trial Championships. That same year he won his sole Grand Tour title at the Vuelta a España, having finished runner-up in 1995. He raced professionally until 2002, retiring with six Vuelta stage wins and one Tour de France stage, all won in time trials, along with two national road race titles and two national time trial titles.
First male cyclist in history to hold both the World Road Race and World Time Trial Championship titles
How They Played
Powerful, versatile time trialist with strong general classification ability across stage races
Lasting Impact
One of the finest all-around Spanish riders of the post-Induráin generation, particularly renowned for his time-trialling ability
Career Honours
- World Road Race Champion (1995)
- World Time Trial Champion (1998)
- Vuelta a España winner (1998)
- Olympic silver medal, individual time trial (1996)
- First cyclist to hold both World Road Race and Time Trial titles
Spanish Athletes