Roman Kreuziger
Encyclopedia
Roman Kreuziger (ˈroman ˈkrojtsɪɡr̩; born May 6, 1986) is a Czech
professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour
team . Kreuziger is an all-rounder, with climbing and time trial
abilities, becoming a contender for the General Classification
of stage races. He is also considered one of the biggest talents of the sport after winning the 2004 Junior Road World Championships
and the 2008 Tour de Suisse at the age of 22.
His father, Roman Kreuziger, was also a bicycle racer who won the Österreich Rundfahrt
in 1991 and the Cyclocross Junior World Championships in 1983.
after a successful amateur career which saw him win the Junior Road World Championships
in 2004 and a stage of the Giro delle Regioni in 2005. In 2007, he showed great improvements in his abilities by placing 2nd in the prologues of Paris–Nice and the Tour de Romandie
, where he also finished sixth overall. He took his first professional victory in the second stage of the Settimana Ciclistica Lombarda
. In late 2007 he also completed his first Grand Tour
after finishing 21st in the Vuelta a España
.
In 2008 he finished second in the Tour de Romandie, 35 seconds behind Andreas Klöden
, one of the world's leading riders. He avenged his loss by winning the Tour de Suisse by finishing 49 seconds ahead of Klöden and winning the mountain time trial to Klausen Pass
. In his first Tour de France
, he proved himself as an excellent climber among the world's greats, eventually finishing 2nd in the youth competition, and 12th overall.
In 2009 he got back to the Tour de Romandie
and finally succeeded in his attempt to win the race, getting also one stage victory. He added to this success by finishing in ninth place in the Tour de France
.
In 2010 Kreuziger made the move from to after five seasons with the Italian team.
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
WD = withdrew
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour
UCI ProTour
The UCI ProTour was a series of road bicycle races in Europe, Australia and Canada organised by the UCI . Created by Hein Verbruggen, former president of the UCI, it comprises a number of 'ProTour' cycling teams, each of whom are required to compete in every round of the series...
team . Kreuziger is an all-rounder, with climbing and time trial
Individual time trial
An individual time trial is a road bicycle race in which cyclists race alone against the clock . There are also track-based time trials where riders compete in velodromes, and team time trials...
abilities, becoming a contender for the General Classification
General Classification
The general classification in bicycle racing is the category that tracks overall times for bicycle riders in multi-stage bicycle races...
of stage races. He is also considered one of the biggest talents of the sport after winning the 2004 Junior Road World Championships
UCI Road World Championships - Junior Men's Road Race
UCI Juniors Road World Championships – Men's road race is the annual world championship for road bicycle racing for men in the Junior category. It is organised by the world governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale. The winner of the event is entitled to wear the rainbow jersey in Junior...
and the 2008 Tour de Suisse at the age of 22.
His father, Roman Kreuziger, was also a bicycle racer who won the Österreich Rundfahrt
Österreich Rundfahrt
The Tour of Austria is a stage cycling race held in Austria. From 1949 to 1995 it was a race for amateur cyclists, turning into a professional event in 1996. In 2005 and 2006 it was organised as a 2.1 event on the UCI Europe Tour, becoming a 2.HC event in 2007. Since 2005 it has usually been held...
in 1991 and the Cyclocross Junior World Championships in 1983.
Career
He turned professional in 2006 with LiquigasLiquigas
Liquigas-Cannondale is an Italian professional road bicycle racing team in the UCI ProTour. The current title sponsor is Liquigas, a provider of liquified gas products in Italy. The second sponsor, Cannondale, is an American bicycle manufacturing company, whose sponsorship has led to a small...
after a successful amateur career which saw him win the Junior Road World Championships
UCI Road World Championships - Junior Men's Road Race
UCI Juniors Road World Championships – Men's road race is the annual world championship for road bicycle racing for men in the Junior category. It is organised by the world governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale. The winner of the event is entitled to wear the rainbow jersey in Junior...
in 2004 and a stage of the Giro delle Regioni in 2005. In 2007, he showed great improvements in his abilities by placing 2nd in the prologues of Paris–Nice and the Tour de Romandie
2007 Tour de Romandie
The 2007 Tour de Romandie served as the 59th edition of this event now held on the 2007 UCI ProTour. The stage race was held from May 1 through May 6, 2007 in the French speaking area of Switzerland known as Romandy...
, where he also finished sixth overall. He took his first professional victory in the second stage of the Settimana Ciclistica Lombarda
Settimana Ciclistica Lombarda
The Settimana Ciclistica Lombarda is an Italian cycle road race. In 2007, the race was organised as a 2.1 event on the UCI Europe Tour, previously being a 2.2 race....
. In late 2007 he also completed his first Grand Tour
Grand Tour (cycling)
In road bicycle racing, a Grand Tour refers to one of the three major European professional cycling stage races:* Tour de France – Tour of France , held in July* Giro d'Italia – Tour of Italy , held in May...
after finishing 21st in the Vuelta a España
2007 Vuelta a España
The 2007 Vuelta a España, the sixty-second edition of the cycle race, took place from September 1 until September 23, 2007. For the first time in a decade, the race started in the region of Galicia, at Vigo, home to Óscar Pereiro, with a flat stage...
.
In 2008 he finished second in the Tour de Romandie, 35 seconds behind Andreas Klöden
Andreas Klöden
Andreas Klöden is a German professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTour team . His major achievements include a bronze medal at the 2000 Olympic Games and second place in the 2004 Tour de France and 2006 Tour de France...
, one of the world's leading riders. He avenged his loss by winning the Tour de Suisse by finishing 49 seconds ahead of Klöden and winning the mountain time trial to Klausen Pass
Klausen Pass
Klausen Pass is a high mountain pass in the Swiss Alps connecting the cantons of Uri and Glarus. The pass road from Altdorf leads through the Schächen Valley, the pass and Urnerboden to Linthal in Glarus....
. In his first Tour de France
2008 Tour de France
The 2008 Tour de France was the 95th Tour de France. The event took place from 5–27 July 2008. Starting in the French city of Brest, the tour entered Italy on the 15th stage and returned to France during the 16th, heading for Paris, its regular final destination, which was reached in the 21st stage...
, he proved himself as an excellent climber among the world's greats, eventually finishing 2nd in the youth competition, and 12th overall.
In 2009 he got back to the Tour de Romandie
2009 Tour de Romandie
The 2009 Tour de Romandie cycling road race started on 28 April and finished on 3 May in Switzerland. It was the 6th event in the 2009 UCI ProTour, and the 12th event in the World Calendar....
and finally succeeded in his attempt to win the race, getting also one stage victory. He added to this success by finishing in ninth place in the Tour de France
2009 Tour de France
The 2009 Tour de France was the 96th edition of the Tour de France, one of cycling's Grand Tours. It started on 4 July in the principality of Monaco with a individual time trial which included a section of the Circuit de Monaco...
.
In 2010 Kreuziger made the move from to after five seasons with the Italian team.
Palmares
2004- 1st
World U-19 Road Race Champion - 1st U-19 Road Race Champion
- 1st U-19 Time Trial Champion
- 2nd
World U-19 Time Trial Championship - 2nd World U-19 Cyclo-Cross Championship
2007
- 1st Trofeo Città di Borgomanero
- 1st Stage 2 Settimana Lombarda
- 2nd Prologue Paris–Nice
- 21st Overall Vuelta a España2007 Vuelta a EspañaThe 2007 Vuelta a España, the sixty-second edition of the cycle race, took place from September 1 until September 23, 2007. For the first time in a decade, the race started in the region of Galicia, at Vigo, home to Óscar Pereiro, with a flat stage...
2008
- 1st Overall Tour de Suisse
- 1st Stage 8 ITT
- 1st Young Riders Classification Tour of Missouri2008 Tour of MissouriThe 2008 Tour of Missouri is the second annual edition of a professional road bicycle racing stage race held in Missouri. It began on September 8, 2008 with seven days of racing. Run by same organizers as the Tour de Georgia and the Amgen Tour of California, the Tour of Missouri is being billed as...
- 2nd Overall Tour de Romandie
- 12th Overall Tour de France2008 Tour de FranceThe 2008 Tour de France was the 95th Tour de France. The event took place from 5–27 July 2008. Starting in the French city of Brest, the tour entered Italy on the 15th stage and returned to France during the 16th, heading for Paris, its regular final destination, which was reached in the 21st stage...
2009
- 1st Overall Tour de Romandie2009 Tour de RomandieThe 2009 Tour de Romandie cycling road race started on 28 April and finished on 3 May in Switzerland. It was the 6th event in the 2009 UCI ProTour, and the 12th event in the World Calendar....
- 1st Stage 4
- 1st
Young Rider Jersey
- 2nd Clásica de San Sebastián2009 Clásica de San SebastiánThe 2009 Clásica de San Sebastián was the 29th edition of the Clásica de San Sebastián road cycling race. It took place on 1 August 2009, and was the tenth event of the 2009 UCI ProTour, and the eighteenth in the inaugural UCI World Ranking series. It began and ended in San Sebastián, in the...
- 3rd Overall Tour de SuisseTour de SuisseThe Tour de Suisse is a UCI World Tour stage race held annually in June. The race debuted in 1933 and has evolved in timing, duration and sponsorship. With the Critérium du Dauphiné, it is a proving ground for the Tour de France, and part of the UCI World Ranking calendar...
- 9th Overall Tour de France2009 Tour de FranceThe 2009 Tour de France was the 96th edition of the Tour de France, one of cycling's Grand Tours. It started on 4 July in the principality of Monaco with a individual time trial which included a section of the Circuit de Monaco...
- 10th Overall Vuelta al País Vasco2009 Vuelta al País VascoThe 2009 Vuelta al País Vasco, the 66th edition of the Vuelta al País Vasco stage cycling race, started on 6 April and ended on 11 April. It was won by Alberto Contador, making this his second Vuelta al País Vasco victory in a row...
2010
- 1st Overall Giro di SardegnaGiro di SardegnaGiro di Sardegna is a stage road bicycle race held on the island of Sardinia, an Italian region. The race returned in 2009 after 11 years. It is now rated 2.1 and is part of the UCI Europe Tour.-Winners:...
- 1st Stage 2
- 3rd Overall Paris–Nice2010 Paris–NiceThe 2010 Paris–Nice was the 68th running of the Paris–Nice cycling stage race, often known as the Race to the Sun. It started on 7 March and ended on 14 March in Nice and consisted of a prologue time-trial and seven stages. Alberto Contador of Spain won the race, regaining the title he had won in...
- 1st Young Rider Jersey
- 1st
- 5th Amstel Gold RaceAmstel Gold RaceThe Amstel Gold Race is a road bicycle race held in the southern part of the province of Limburg, Netherlands. Since 1989 it has been among the races included in season long rankings tables, as part of the UCI Road World Cup , the UCI ProTour , UCI World Ranking and from 2011 the UCI World Tour...
- 9th Overall Tour de France2010 Tour de FranceThe 2010 Tour de France was the 97th edition of the Tour de France cycle race, one of cycling's Grand Tours. It started on with an 8.9 km prologue time trial in Rotterdam, the first start in the Netherlands since 1996...
2011
- 1st Stage 4 Giro del TrentinoGiro del TrentinoThe Giro del Trentino is an Italian cycle road race. It is run typically mid-to-late April over four stages in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region of Italy....
- 1st Mountains classification
- 4th Liège–Bastogne–Liège2011 Liège–Bastogne–LiègeThe 2011 Liège–Bastogne–Liège was the 97th running of the Liège–Bastogne–Liège, a single-day cycling race. It was held on 24 April 2011 over a distance of , starting in Liège and finishing in Ans, via Bastogne in the Ardennes region of Belgium...
- 6th Overall Giro d'Italia2011 Giro d'ItaliaThe 2011 Giro d'Italia was the 94th edition of the Giro d'Italia, one of cycling's Grand Tours. The Giro started on 7 May with a team time trial in Turin to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Italian unification, when the city served as the first capital of the single state.The route was...
- 1st Young Rider Jersey
- 1st
Grand Tour General Classification results timeline
| Grand Tour | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giro Giro d'Italia The Giro d'Italia , also simply known as The Giro, is a long distance road bicycle racing stage race for professional cyclists held over three weeks in May/early June in and around Italy. The Giro is one of the three Grand Tours , and is part of the UCI World Ranking calendar... |
– | – | – | – | 6 2011 Giro d'Italia The 2011 Giro d'Italia was the 94th edition of the Giro d'Italia, one of cycling's Grand Tours. The Giro started on 7 May with a team time trial in Turin to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Italian unification, when the city served as the first capital of the single state.The route was... |
| Tour Tour de France The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The... |
– | 12 2008 Tour de France The 2008 Tour de France was the 95th Tour de France. The event took place from 5–27 July 2008. Starting in the French city of Brest, the tour entered Italy on the 15th stage and returned to France during the 16th, heading for Paris, its regular final destination, which was reached in the 21st stage... |
9 2009 Tour de France The 2009 Tour de France was the 96th edition of the Tour de France, one of cycling's Grand Tours. It started on 4 July in the principality of Monaco with a individual time trial which included a section of the Circuit de Monaco... |
9 2010 Tour de France The 2010 Tour de France was the 97th edition of the Tour de France cycle race, one of cycling's Grand Tours. It started on with an 8.9 km prologue time trial in Rotterdam, the first start in the Netherlands since 1996... |
112 2011 Tour de France -Pre-race favourites:2010 winner Alberto Contador was suspended from cycling during a doping investigation from September 2010 to February 2011, during which time 2010 runner-up Andy Schleck was regarded as the favourite. When the suspension was lifted, Contador declared his desire to compete in... |
| Vuelta Vuelta a España The Vuelta a España is a three-week road bicycle racing stage race that is one of the three "Grand Tours" of Europe and part of the UCI World Ranking calendar. The race lasts three weeks and attracts cyclists from around the world. The race is broken into day-long segments, called stages... |
21 2007 Vuelta a España The 2007 Vuelta a España, the sixty-second edition of the cycle race, took place from September 1 until September 23, 2007. For the first time in a decade, the race started in the region of Galicia, at Vigo, home to Óscar Pereiro, with a flat stage... |
– | 61 2009 Vuelta a España The 2009 Vuelta a España was the 64th Vuelta a España. The event took place from 29 August to 20 September 2009. For only the second time in the race's history, it began away from Spanish soil, with the race not in fact reaching Spain until Stage 5.... |
28 2010 Vuelta a España The 2010 Vuelta a España was held from August 28 to September 19 and was won by Vincenzo Nibali. The race began in Seville and ended, as is tradition, in Madrid.The race covered... |
– |
WD = withdrew