Julián Berrendero facts for kids
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| Personal information | |||
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| Born | 8 April 1912 San Agustín del Guadalix, Spain |
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| Died | 1 August 1995 (aged 83) Madrid, Spain |
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| Team information | |||
| Discipline | Road | ||
| Role | Rider | ||
| Major wins | |||
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Julián Berrendero Martín (born April 8, 1912, died August 1, 1995) was a famous Spanish road racing cyclist. He is best known for winning the Vuelta a España, a major bike race, two times in a row, in 1941 and 1942. What makes his story even more amazing is that he won the 1941 race after being held in a difficult camp for 18 months. He also won the "mountains classification" (meaning he was the best climber) in the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España multiple times.
Contents
Early Life and Cycling Start
Julián Berrendero was born in a town called San Agustín del Guadalix in Spain. He grew up to become one of Spain's most important cyclists. He started his professional cycling career in the 1930s.
Facing Challenges and Returning to Racing
During a difficult time in Spain's history, Julián Berrendero faced big challenges. He was a well-known person who had supported a certain political group. Because of this, he was arrested and held in a camp for about 18 months. Life in these camps was very hard, with little food and many illnesses.
Even after such a tough experience, Julián was incredibly strong. He was only 27 years old when he was released. Many people wondered if he could ever race at a high level again. But he proved everyone wrong.
Winning the Vuelta a España
Just after leaving the camp, Julián Berrendero showed amazing courage and skill. He entered the Vuelta a España and, against all odds, he won it! This was a huge victory, showing his incredible spirit and determination.
He didn't stop there. The very next year, in 1942, he won the Vuelta a España again. Winning this tough race twice in a row made him a legend in Spanish cycling. In 1942, he also won the "mountains classification," proving he was a fantastic climber.
Other Big Wins and Achievements
Julián Berrendero had many other important wins throughout his career:
- In 1936, he won the Mountains classification in the Tour de France. This meant he was the best climber in one of the world's biggest bike races.
- He won a stage in the Tour de France in 1937.
- He became the
Spanish National Road Race Champion three times (1942, 1943, 1944). - He also won the Spanish National Cyclo-Cross Championship twice (1942, 1944). Cyclo-cross is a type of bike race that involves riding on different types of terrain, like grass, mud, and hills.
- He finished second overall in the Vuelta a España two more times, in 1945 and 1946. In 1945, he also won the mountains classification again.
Julián Berrendero's career showed incredible strength and a never-give-up attitude, especially after facing such difficult times. He is remembered as one of Spain's greatest cyclists.
Major Career Highlights
- Vuelta a España:
- Winner: 1941, 1942
- Mountains Classification Winner: 1942, 1945
- Tour de France:
- Mountains Classification Winner: 1936
- Stage Winner: 1937 (Stage 15)
- Spanish National Road Race Championship:
- Winner: 1942, 1943, 1944
- Spanish National Cyclo-Cross Championship:
- Winner: 1942, 1944
See also
In Spanish: Julián Berrendero para niños
