18 Facts About Charly Wegelius

Never a winner of a professional race individually, Wegelius nevertheless made a career out of being a reliable and strong domestique, most notably in the mountains.

Charly Wegelius started his career in France, riding for the Vendee U team managed by Jean-Rene Bernaudeau, thanks to the influence of former pro Graham Jones.

Charly Wegelius's team-mates included Walter Beneteau, Christian Guiberteau, Roger Hammond, Samuel Plouhinec, and Janek Tombak.

Charly Wegelius won a number of races in his first season, including beating Sandy Casar, who was the brightest prospect in the local area.

Charly Wegelius recovered and had his first professional break in 1999, when he rode as a stagiaire for the ill-fated Linda McCartney Racing Team.

Charly Wegelius participated in the cycling at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, where he finished 5th in the individual time trial and 28th in the road race.

Charly Wegelius started the road race at the 2004 Summer Olympics, but failed to finish.

Charly Wegelius raced in Italy for a succession of teams between 2000 and 2009.

Charly Wegelius took part in his first Grand Tour, Mapei's last, at the 2002 Vuelta a Espana.

In 2004, Charly Wegelius notably helped Serhiy Honchar to an unexpected second place, often driving the leading group up the difficult mountain stages.

Charly Wegelius was involved in controversy in 2005 when he and teammate Tom Southam chose not to ride to protect Roger Hammond, their team leader, in the World Championship road race, and instead took instructions from the Italian team for a fee.

Charly Wegelius later repaid the costs associated with his participation in the event, and was never selected to represent his national team again.

Charly Wegelius competed in every Giro d'Italia between 2003 and 2010, and successfully supported Di Luca to victory in 2007, which was ironically the only Giro Charly Wegelius failed to finish.

Charly Wegelius received a call-up to participate in the 2009 Tour de France as a replacement for Thomas Dekker, who was ruled out following a positive drug test.

Charly Wegelius finished 60th in the general classification, 1 hour, 14 minutes and 25 seconds behind the winning Contador.

Charly Wegelius is the son of Christopher Charly Wegelius, a Finnish former banker and the most successful show jumper ever to have represented Finland.

Charly Wegelius moved, as a small boy, with his mother, to England.

Charly Wegelius was educated at Bootham School in York from 1989 to 1994.