ALEKSANDR EFIMKIN

Samara, Russia
Age: 31
Professional Since 2006

Aleksandr Efimkin won the Tour of Turkey in May, claiming his biggest career victory to date. He also scored Top-10 finishes at the Queen Stage of the Tour of California, the US Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado and at Switzerland's GP Lugano in February. In his career he has ridden three Giros d'Italia, two Tours de Suisse, one Vuelta a Espana and one Tour de France.

Every time Aleksandr Efimkin looks in the mirror, he sees a life of hard work and dedication pay off. He took a gamble in France and it paid off. He took a gamble in Italy and it paid off. He took a gamble in Turkey with an American team and it paid off - big time. With his biggest career victory to date, a triumph of strategy and hubris-crushing legpower, Efimkin stole a march on Pro Tour teams who thought they had it in the bag - who said nobody could beat them - who made broad assumptions about the unassuming and mighty man from Samara. His twin brother retired for good, Aleks is the only Efimkin in the peloton and one is all you need.

2011 HIGHLIGHTS

1st GC Tour of Turkey, TUR
2nd St5 Tour of Turkey, TUR
3rd St4 Tour of Turkey, TUR
6th St1b Settimana Coppi e Bartali, ITA
8th GP di Lugano, SUI
6th St7 Tour of California, USA
8th, St4 USA Pro Cycling Challenge, USA
10th St6 Tour of Turkey, TUR