Agustín Alcántara

Mexican cyclist Agustín Alcántara competed from the mid-1960s until the mid-1970s, being known as a specialist in mountain stage races. Alcántara had his first success on the track, winning gold in the 4,000 metres team pursuit at the 1966 Central American and Caribbean Games in San Juan. One year later he won silver in the same event and the team time trial at the Pan American Games in Winnipeg. With these results, and a consistent performance at the Tour of Cuba, Alcántara was selected to represent his nation at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, riding in both the team time trial and the team pursuit.

Over the next two years Alcántara won five stages at the Tour of Cuba, along with bronze in both the 4,000 metres team pursuit and the team time trial at the 1970 Central American and Caribbean Games. In 1971 he won the overall classification at the inaugural edition of the Tour of California, before making his second appearance at the Olympics one year later. In 1974 Alcántara won two more bronze medals at the Central American and Caribbean Games, finishing third in both the individual and team pursuit events.

After his retirement Alcántara became the coach of the Mexican cycling team that rode at the 1979 Tour of Cuba. During the race he was killed when he was riding in a support vehicle that overturned on a stage in Camagüey. He was only 32-years-old. The winner of the 2009 race was awarded with the Premio Agustín Alcántara to mark the 30th anniversary of his death.