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Oscar PereiroProfessional road cyclist, football player
Date of Birth: 03.08.1977
Country:  Spain |
Content:
- Óscar Pereiro: From Cycling Glory to Footballer's Dream
- Early Cycling Career
- Tour de France Breakthrough
- Tour de France Victory
- Controversy and Vindication
- Cycling Retirement and Football Transition
- Football Debut
Óscar Pereiro: From Cycling Glory to Footballer's Dream
Óscar Pereiro Sío, born in Mos, Pontevedra, Spain in 1977, is a retired professional road racing cyclist and current footballer.
Early Cycling Career
Pereiro's passion for cycling emerged in his teenage years. Joining the Spanish professional team Porta da Ravessa in 2000, his talent caught the attention of the Swiss team Phonak a year later.
Tour de France Breakthrough
In 2004, Pereiro made his mark in the prestigious Tour de France, finishing 10th overall, just 22 minutes behind Lance Armstrong. In 2005, he earned the "Most Aggressive Rider" award for his determined performance despite initial setbacks.
Tour de France Victory
Pereiro's career reached its peak in the 2006 Tour de France. After strong performances, he emerged as a challenger to Floyd Landis. When Landis was later disqualified for steroid use, Pereiro was declared the winner, marking his first Tour de France victory.
Controversy and Vindication
In 2007, Pereiro faced controversy when a French newspaper alleged the presence of drugs in his urine sample. However, an investigation revealed that the substances were prescribed for asthma and approved by the International Cycling Union. Pereiro's victory was upheld.
Cycling Retirement and Football Transition
After a crash in the 2008 Tour de France, Pereiro retired from cycling in 2010. He joined the Kazakh team Astana before announcing his contract with Coruxo FC, a football club in Spain.
Football Debut
On December 19, 2010, Pereiro made his debut with Coruxo FC's reserve team. He expressed his ambition to break into the main squad in 2011, fulfilling a childhood dream of playing professional football.
