Viatcheslav Ekimov
Encyclopedia
Viatcheslav Vladimirovich Ekimov (Russian
Вячеслав Владимирович Екимов; born February 4, 1966 in Vyborg
near St Petersburg), nicknamed Eki, is a Russia
n former professional racing cyclist. A double Olympic gold medalist, he was awarded the title of Russian Cyclist of the Century in 2001.
at Lokomotiv
and later Armed Forces sports society
during the Soviet era. He first competed professionally in 1990.
Ekimov won two Olympic gold medals: in the track team pursuit in Seoul (1988) for the USSR
, and in an upset, in the road time trial in Sydney (2000) for Russia
. At the 2004 Summer Olympics
in Athens
, Ekimov won the silver medal for Russia in the men's road individual time trial
, losing to American Tyler Hamilton
. Hamilton's initial blood sample tested positive for blood doping
, but the lab mistakenly froze the backup sample, rendering it unsuitable for the required second test. Though the Russian Olympic committee appealed the final standings on Ekimov's behalf, the lab's error made it impossible to definitively establish Hamilton's culpability and the American retained the gold medal. (Hamilton again tested positive a few weeks later and received a two-year competition ban.)
Ekimov joined the USPS team in 1997 as its first key international signing, briefly retiring in 2001 before rejoining the team the following year. In the 2003 Tour de France
Ekimov placed 10th in the prologue. He was a key force in the winning team time trial effort in stage four and was important to Lance Armstrong's fifth Tour victory both on the flats and in the mountains. He missed the 2005 Tour de France
due to injuries received in a training ride with Armstrong in Texas
. During the final stage of the 2006 Tour de France
, now racing for the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team
, he announced that the 2006 Tour would be his last. He was honored by the peloton on the final stage, who allowed him to lead them over the line on the first of the eight laps of the Champs-Élysées. Ekimov started and finished 15 Tours de France, tying him with Lucien Van Impe
for the second most Tour finishes.
In September 2006 he finished riding for Discovery, but stayed with the team as Assistant Directeur Sportif to Johan Bruyneel
. He helped guide the Discovery riders during the U.S. Pro Cycling Championships in 2006 as well as the Tour of California and the Tour de Georgia.
On 9 September it was announced he would join as Directeur Sportif.
In May 2011, Tyler Hamilton
gave back the gold medal of the 2004 Olympic time trial. As second placed cyclist in that race, it is possible that Ekimov will be upgraded to the first place and receive the gold medal; this has not yet happened.
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Russian language
Russian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
Вячеслав Владимирович Екимов; born February 4, 1966 in Vyborg
Vyborg
Vyborg is a town in Leningrad Oblast, Russia, situated on the Karelian Isthmus near the head of the Bay of Vyborg, to the northwest of St. Petersburg and south from Russia's border with Finland, where the Saimaa Canal enters the Gulf of Finland...
near St Petersburg), nicknamed Eki, is a Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n former professional racing cyclist. A double Olympic gold medalist, he was awarded the title of Russian Cyclist of the Century in 2001.
Biography
Ekimov started training as a cyclist at age 12 with a bicycle school affiliated with the famous centre of Aleksandr Kuznetsov. He trained in LeningradLeningrad
Leningrad is the former name of Saint Petersburg, Russia.Leningrad may also refer to:- Places :* Leningrad Oblast, a federal subject of Russia, around Saint Petersburg* Leningrad, Tajikistan, capital of Muminobod district in Khatlon Province...
at Lokomotiv
Lokomotiv (sports society)
Lokomotiv is the Russian sports club and a member of the International Railway Sports Association.Lokomotive traces its history to the All-Union Voluntary Sports Society of rail transport workers' Trade Unions, one of the first sports societies of workers of the USSR. Established in 1936, it...
and later Armed Forces sports society
Armed Forces (sports society)
Central Sports Klub of the Army or is the Russian sports society and the successor of the Soviet CSKA.-Overview:The society was one of the largest sports societies in the USSR. In the Soviet era all CSKA and SKA teams that resided in the Soviet Union belonged to the Armed Forces sports society...
during the Soviet era. He first competed professionally in 1990.
Ekimov won two Olympic gold medals: in the track team pursuit in Seoul (1988) for the USSR
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, and in an upset, in the road time trial in Sydney (2000) for Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. At the 2004 Summer Olympics
2004 Summer Olympics
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, Ekimov won the silver medal for Russia in the men's road individual 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...
, losing to American Tyler Hamilton
Tyler Hamilton
Tyler Hamilton is a former American professional road bicycle racer and former Olympic gold medalist. Hamilton became a professional cyclist in 1995, and during the 1999, 2000 and 2001 Tour de France was a teammate of Lance Armstrong who won those races.Hamilton appeared at the 2000 Summer...
. Hamilton's initial blood sample tested positive for blood doping
Blood doping
Blood doping is the practice of boosting the number of red blood cells in the bloodstream in order to enhance athletic performance. Because such blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the muscles, a higher concentration in the blood can improve an athlete’s aerobic capacity and...
, but the lab mistakenly froze the backup sample, rendering it unsuitable for the required second test. Though the Russian Olympic committee appealed the final standings on Ekimov's behalf, the lab's error made it impossible to definitively establish Hamilton's culpability and the American retained the gold medal. (Hamilton again tested positive a few weeks later and received a two-year competition ban.)
Ekimov joined the USPS team in 1997 as its first key international signing, briefly retiring in 2001 before rejoining the team the following year. In the 2003 Tour de France
2003 Tour de France
The 2003 Tour de France started and ended in Paris. Lasting from July 5 to July 27 the race covered 3,427.5 km , proceeding clockwise in twenty stages around France, including six major mountain stages...
Ekimov placed 10th in the prologue. He was a key force in the winning team time trial effort in stage four and was important to Lance Armstrong's fifth Tour victory both on the flats and in the mountains. He missed the 2005 Tour de France
2005 Tour de France
The 2005 Tour de France was the 92nd Tour de France, taking place from July 2 to July 24, 2005. It comprised 21 stages over 3592.5 km, the winner's average speed was 41.654 km/h. The first stages were held in the département of the Vendée, for the third time in 12 years. The 2005 Tour was...
due to injuries received in a training ride with Armstrong in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. During the final stage of the 2006 Tour de France
2006 Tour de France
The 2006 Tour de France was the 93rd Tour de France, taking place from July 1 to July 23, 2006. It was won by Óscar Pereiro following the disqualification of apparent winner Floyd Landis....
, now racing for the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team
Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team
Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team was a United States-based professional road bicycle racing team. It was the continuation of the 2004 U.S. Postal Service Pro Cycling Team. Lance Armstrong, seven-time Tour de France winner, was its leader until July 2005...
, he announced that the 2006 Tour would be his last. He was honored by the peloton on the final stage, who allowed him to lead them over the line on the first of the eight laps of the Champs-Élysées. Ekimov started and finished 15 Tours de France, tying him with Lucien Van Impe
Lucien Van Impe
Lucien van Impe was a Belgian cyclist from 1969 to 1987. He excelled mainly as a climber in multiple-day races such as the Tour de France...
for the second most Tour finishes.
In September 2006 he finished riding for Discovery, but stayed with the team as Assistant Directeur Sportif to Johan Bruyneel
Johan Bruyneel
Johan Bruyneel is a former road bicycle racer in professional cycling and a directeur sportif for UCI ProTour team . Retiring from racing in 1998, he became director of , a US-based UCI ProTour cycling team...
. He helped guide the Discovery riders during the U.S. Pro Cycling Championships in 2006 as well as the Tour of California and the Tour de Georgia.
On 9 September it was announced he would join as Directeur Sportif.
In May 2011, Tyler Hamilton
Tyler Hamilton
Tyler Hamilton is a former American professional road bicycle racer and former Olympic gold medalist. Hamilton became a professional cyclist in 1995, and during the 1999, 2000 and 2001 Tour de France was a teammate of Lance Armstrong who won those races.Hamilton appeared at the 2000 Summer...
gave back the gold medal of the 2004 Olympic time trial. As second placed cyclist in that race, it is possible that Ekimov will be upgraded to the first place and receive the gold medal; this has not yet happened.
Career highlights
1988- 1st
Team Pursuit Cycling at the 1988 Summer OlympicsCycling at the 1988 Summer OlympicsFinal results for the Cycling competition at the 1988 Summer Olympics. There were two categories of events – road cycling and track cycling.-Medal table:-Men's Events:-Women's events:-References:*... - 1st Overall Regio-TourRegio-TourThe Regio-Tour is a multi-stage road bicycle race held between France, Switzerland and Germany. It was first held in 1985 and since 2005 it has been organised as a 2.1 event on the UCI Europe Tour...
- 1st Vuelta al TáchiraVuelta al TáchiraThe Vuelta ciclista al Táchira is a multi-day road bicycle racing stage race held annually each January in the state of Táchira, Venezuela...
- 1st Tour de NormandieTour de NormandieTour de Normandie is a road bicycle race held annually in the region of Normandie, France. The race started in 1939, but was not held in the periods of 1940-1955 and 1960-1980. It was originally a race for amateurs, but was opened for professionals in 1996...
1989
- 1st Circuit Franco-BelgeCircuit Franco-BelgeThe Tour de Wallonie-Picarde is a stage race cycling race held annually in Belgium and France. Since 2005, the race has been organized as a 2.1 event on the UCI Europe Tour- Winners :...
1990
- 1st
Individual Pursuit World Champion
1991
- 1st Points Race World Champion
- 1st, Stage 20, Tour de France1991 Tour de FranceThe 1991 Tour de France was the 78th Tour de France, taking place July 6 to July 28, 1991. The total race distance was 22 stages over 3914 km, with riders averaging 38.747 km/h.-Stages:-General classification:-External links:* *...
- 1st Stage 3 Critérium InternationalCritérium InternationalThe Critérium International is a two-day bicycle stage race held in France every spring. It was formerly known as the Critérium National de la Route, first run in 1932....
1992
- 1st Züri-Metzgete
- 3rd Overall Quatre jours de Dunkerque
- 1st Stage 5
1993
- 1st Clásica de AlmeríaClásica de AlmeríaThe Clásica de Almería is a single-day road bicycle race held annually in March in Almería, Spain, starting and finishing in Almería itself. Since 2005, the race is organised as a 1.1 event on the UCI Europe Tour. Established in 1986, the race was run as an amateur event in its first six years...
- 1st Stage 5 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...
1994
- 1st Overall Vuelta Ciclista a la Communidad Valenciana
- 1st Stage 2
- 1st Overall Tour DuPontTour DuPontThe Tour DuPont was a cycling stage race in the United States held between 1991 and 1996. It was intended to become a North American cycling event similar in format and prestige to the Tour de France. The tour's name came from its sponsor, DuPont...
- 1st Veenendaal–Veenendaal
1995
- 1st Stage 5 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...
- 2nd Overall Tour DuPontTour DuPontThe Tour DuPont was a cycling stage race in the United States held between 1991 and 1996. It was intended to become a North American cycling event similar in format and prestige to the Tour de France. The tour's name came from its sponsor, DuPont...
- 4th, Paris–Roubaix
1996
- 1st Overall Three Days of De PanneThree Days of De PanneThe Three Days of De Panne is a mid-week, three-day stage race before the Ronde van Vlaanderen in De Panne in West Flanders, Belgium. It is rated 2.HC by the UCI and is part of the UCI Europe Tour.- Winners :...
1997
- 1st
National Road Race Champion - 1st Stage 8 Paris–Nice
- 1st Stage 2 Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré
- 1st Stage 4 Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré
- 1st Stage 5 Vuelta a Castilla y León
1998
- 1st Stage 6 Prudential Tour
- 2nd Overall, Ronde van Nederland1998 Ronde van NederlandThese are the results for the 38th edition of the Ronde van Nederland cycling race, which was held from August 25 to August 29, 1998. The race started in Naaldwijk and finished in Landgraaf .-25-08-1998: Naaldwijk-Hoorn, 178.1 km:...
1999
- 1st Stage 15 Vuelta a España
- 1st Stage 5 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...
2000
- 1st Sydney Summer Olympics2000 Summer OlympicsThe Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
- 1st GP Eddy Merckx
- 1st Overall Three Days of De PanneThree Days of De PanneThe Three Days of De Panne is a mid-week, three-day stage race before the Ronde van Vlaanderen in De Panne in West Flanders, Belgium. It is rated 2.HC by the UCI and is part of the UCI Europe Tour.- Winners :...
2001
- 1st Stage 5 Vuelta Ciclista a la Communidad Valenciana
2003
- 1st Stage 4 (TTT) Tour de France2003 Tour de FranceThe 2003 Tour de France started and ended in Paris. Lasting from July 5 to July 27 the race covered 3,427.5 km , proceeding clockwise in twenty stages around France, including six major mountain stages...
- 1st Overall Ronde van Nederland2003 Ronde van NederlandThese are the results for the 43rd edition of the Ronde van Nederland cycling race, which was held from August 19 to August 23, 2003. The race started in Middelburg and finished in Landgraaf.-19-08-2003: Middelburg-Rotterdam, 180 km:...
- 1st Stage 4 (ITT)
- 3rd, Paris–Roubaix
2004
- 1st Stage 4 (TTT) Tour de France2004 Tour de FranceThe 2004 Tour de France was the 91st, taking place from July 3 to July 25, 2004. It consisted of 20 stages over 3391 km.Lance Armstrong became the first to win six Tours de France. Armstrong had been favored to win, his competitors seen as being German Jan Ullrich, Spaniards Roberto Heras and...
- 2nd Overall Ronde van Nederland2004 Ronde van NederlandThese are the results for the 44th edition of the Ronde van Nederland cycling race, which was held from August 24 to August 28, 2004. The race started in Oudenbosch and finished in Sittard-Geleen. It was won by Holland's Erik Dekker...
- 1st Stage 4
- 2nd Overall Tour de Languedoc-Roussillon
- 2nd
Athens Summer Olympics2004 Summer OlympicsThe 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
Men's Time TrialCycling at the 2004 Summer OlympicsCycling at the 2004 Summer Olympics had 18 events in three disciplines:*Road cycling, held at the Athens historic centre and in Vouliagmeni Olympic Centre .... - 5th Overall, Tour de GeorgiaTour de Georgia 2004The 2004 Tour de Georgia was the second annual bicycle road racing event held in the state of Georgia, United States. The six-day, seven stage 1050 km race was held April 20 through April 25, 2004 with the overall title and yellow jersey won by Lance Armstrong of the U.S. Postal Service Pro Cycling...
- 5th, GP Eddy Merckx
2005
- 1st Stage 4 (ITT), Three Days of De PanneThree Days of De PanneThe Three Days of De Panne is a mid-week, three-day stage race before the Ronde van Vlaanderen in De Panne in West Flanders, Belgium. It is rated 2.HC by the UCI and is part of the UCI Europe Tour.- Winners :...