Denis Menchov
Denis Menchov (Russian Денис Николаевич Меньшов, scientific transliteration Denis Nikolaevich Men'šov; born January 25, 1978 in Oryol ) is a former Russian cyclist.
- 2.1 ranking on the Grand Tours
Sports career
Early years
In addition to his early enthusiasm for swimming, soccer and cross-country skiing Menshov discovered his love for cycling later on TV when he Miguel Indurain - his idol - saw. He had his first major success already as a junior at the Russian time trial championships. So he was already 17 years the Sports Club CSKA Moscow join the offered him better training facilities.
1996-1999
In Samara found Menshov a small local cycling team, sponsored by car manufacturer Lada, which enabled him to contest even international competitions. They participated in different races part abroad, mainly in Belgium, Spain and France, where Francis Lafargue, sports director at Banesto, became aware of him.
2000-2005
In 2000 Menshov turned pro at Banesto. In the years 2001 to 2003 he drove for the team iBanesto.com, 2004 for Illes Balears - Banesto and, since 2005, the Rabobank team. In 2005, he won two stages at the Vuelta a España and won the overall victory.
2007-2008
Menshov 2007 was successful year, he won the Vuelta and crowned it with a stage victory on the 10th stage. Second was Carlos Sastre, Third Samuel Sanchez. 2008 Menshov occupied at the Tour de France to fourth place, but by the doping case against Bernhard Kohl was Menshov third parties.
2009
In March Menshov could win the Vuelta a Murcia in preparation for the Giro. Despite a crash on the final stage of the Russian could also decide the 92nd Giro d' Italia for themselves. That was his opinion, the biggest victory in his career. Disappointing however was the 2009 Tour de France for Menshov, who was in advance of the tour by many experts immediately after Alberto Contador as favorite for the yellow jersey. But already in the prologue of the Tour Menshov lost valuable time and confirmed his poor form even when a large part of the mountain stages. In the overall standings finally finished Menshov the 51st place.
2010
2010 Menshov concentrated again on the Tour de France, and refrained from defending his title at the Giro Giro since the last week was assessed by him and his team to be too heavy. Although he drove a relatively inconspicuous tour, he made it, thanks very consistent performances in the mountains for the second time after 2008 as third on the Tour podium. But this he conquered until the penultimate day of the race when he with a strong time trial Spaniard Samuel Sanchez still displaced by the third place. After the tour, he put a break from racing to a ride at the Vuelta a Espana for the overall victory. But early Menshov lost a lot of time and was able to bury all ambitions after the second week.
2011
In 2011 Menshov decided to go as early as 2009 the Giro. For this he won the Eighth place with 12min behind Alberto Contador. Contador, however, was disqualified so the victory went to Michele Scarponi. At the end of the season went Menshov the Vuelta. In this he showed constant performance and placed himself behind winner Juan Jose Cobo, Christopher Froome, Bradley Wiggins and Bauke Mollema in fifth place.
2012
2012 moved Menschov with great expectations to the Russian Katusha team that he should cite as local captain. At the Tour de France in the same year he was back in 15th but below expectations. In the Vuelta a Espana after all, he could win a stage. He also secured the Russian league title in the time trial.
On May 20, 2013 Menschov declared because of ongoing knee problems, which kept him from his full power, his resignation.
Achievements
One-day race
- Clasica Ciclista los Puerto winner 2003
- Russia Champion of Russia - Individual Time Trial 2012
Tours
- General Classification Tour de l' Avenir 2001
- Young Classification Tour de France 2003
- Appreciation Basque Country Tour 2004
- Appreciation and combined score Vuelta a España 2005
- Appreciation, mountain classification and combined score Vuelta a España 2007
- Appreciation Vuelta a Murcia 2009
- Appreciation Giro d'Italia 2009
Stage wins in Tours (number of stages / year)
Placement in the Grand Tours
Team
- Banesto 2000
- 2001 iBanesto.com
- 2002 iBanesto.com
- 2003 iBanesto.com
- 2004 Illes Balears - Banesto
- 2005 Rabobank
- 2006 Rabobank
- 2007 Rabobank
- 2008 Rabobank
- 2009 Rabobank
- 2010 Rabobank
- 2011 Geox -TMC
- 2012 Katusha Team
- 2013 Katusha