Roberto Menéndez

Road and track cyclist Roberto Menéndez was prolific throughout the 1960s and 1970s, winning home races in Cuba as well as medals at international events. Menéndez began his career with multiple podiums on stages at the Vuelta a Cuba to eventually earn himself a place on the national team. He then made his début at the Olympics in 1968 in Mexico City, riding in both the road race and the team pursuit on the track. Menéndez went on to also compete at the Games in München and Montréal, with a best result of 16th in the team time trial in 1972.

Menéndez had his first major international success at the 1970 Central American and Caribbean Games when he won silver in the 4,000 metres team pursuit. Four years later he returned to the Games, this time winning gold in both the road race and the team time trial. Menéndez also won medals at the Pan American Games, first with gold in the team time trial in 1971, and silver in the same event in 1975. Back in Cuba he became the national time trial champion in 1971, before winning his first stage of the Vuelta a Cuba the following year.