Russia
4 February 1966
1.8m
73kg
1990
Panasonic (1990-1992), Novemail (1993), Wordperfect (1994), Novell (1995), Rabobank (1996), USPS (1997-1998), Amica Chips (1999), USPS (2000-2004)
Viatcheslav “Eki” Ekimov is one of the true “iron men” in the sport of cycling. For most fans it was a foregone conclusion that Eki would be there to not only support Lance Armstrong in his bid for a historic seventh consecutive Tour de France but, with 14 Tours under his wheels, to also take one step closer to the all-time record for Tour completions held by Joop Zoetemelk at 16.
Everything looked on track: plenty of racing, a stage win at Three Days of the Panne in March, a top three stage finish at the Tour de Georgia in mid-April. But then disaster struck a week later as a training ride crash severely injured Ekimov´s back and all but ended his 2005 season - possibly his career, too. Amazingly, following surgery and weeks of physical rehabilitation, Eki was back racing in August, first at the GP Ouest France-Plouay, then the Tour of Poland, and then at the World Championship Time Trial where, considering his injuries, he posted a very respectable mid-pack standing. He then finished his 2005 season at the Italian Tour of Lombardy. Eki´s definitely back and ready for more in 2006!
His return to form is no surprise for a man who has enjoyed a stunning career. Ekimov turned in a season to remember in 2004, continuing to etch his name into cycling´s history books.
He started and finished his 14th Tour de France in 15 years while also placing second at the Tours of Holland and Languedoc-Roussillon and the Olympic time trial in Athens. Other top performances included a stage win at the Tour of Holland and fifth overall at the Tour de Georgia and the GP Eddy Merckx.
Ekimov had a terrific ride in the Tour de Georgia, defending Lance Armstrong's race lead while finishing fifth overall, sixth in the time trial and eighth in the brutal stage to Brasstown Bald. Upon his return to Europe, Eki rode superbly at the Languedoc-Roussillon, finishing second overall. He held his form through the Tour de France, shining on the cobblestones of Belgium and becoming one of just seven riders in history to complete 14 Tours. Following his stunning Silver medal effort at the Olympics, Eki took second place at the Tour of Holland after being edged out by one second. The next day, Ekimov and team-mate George Hincapie took fifth at the prestigious GP Eddy Merckx.
A two-time Olympic Gold medalist, Ekimov retired at the end of the 2001 season only to rejoin the team the next year. Awarded the title of Russian Cyclist of the Century in 2001, Ekimov first joined the USPS team in 1997 as its first key international signing. At the 2000 Olympics, Ekimov pulled off one of cycling's great upsets by winning the Gold medal in the time trial.
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2nd, Stage 4, Tour de Georgia
8th, Stage 3, Tour de Georgia
12th, GC, Three Days of the Panne
1st, Stage 4, Three Days of the Panne
14th, GC, Ruta del Sol
6th, Stage 3, Ruta del Sol
1st, Stage 4, Tour of Holland
2nd overall, Tour of Holland
2nd, Stage 4, Languedoc-Roussillon
2nd overall, Languedoc-Roussillon
2nd, Olympic Time Trial, Athens
5th overall, Tour de Georgia
5th, GP Eddy Merckx |
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