Alex Zülle

Alex Zülle stands as one of the most prominent figures in Swiss sports history, with a career defined by unprecedented success in the mid-1990s. He was the first rider to win the Vuelta a España in consecutive years since 1989, a feat that highlighted his unique ability to dominate both climbing and time trialing. His two second-place finishes in the Tour de France, particularly the dramatic 1999 edition, remain some of the most talked-about moments in cycling history. Although overshadowed by the doping scandals of the era, his athletic achievements secure his place as a legendary rider who pushed the limits of human endurance.