15 Facts About Ilnur Zakarin

1.

Ilnur Azatovich Zakarin is a Russian former racing cyclist, who competed as a professional from 2012 to 2022.

2.

In July 2009, the Russian cycling federation announced that Zakarin had been banned for two years after he had tested positive for the anabolic steroid metandienone.

3.

Ilnur Zakarin realized this feat thanks to a good performance in the mountains, finishing second in stage 4, and a very good time trial ride on the fifth and final stage, where he finished second even though he had to change his bike midway through the course due to some mechanical issues.

4.

Ilnur Zakarin made his Grand Tour debut at the Giro d'Italia, where he won Stage 11 after attacking from a breakaway in heavy rain at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari racing circuit in Imola.

5.

Ilnur Zakarin recovered from his injuries and was named in the start list for the Tour de France.

6.

Ilnur Zakarin started the season at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana stage race, and continued by riding the Abu Dhabi Tour in which he finished 2nd.

7.

Ilnur Zakarin finished 5th at the Giro d'Italia after finishing 2nd on three individual stages.

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Denis Menchov
8.

Ilnur Zakarin finished in third place at the Vuelta a Espana; the last time a Russian stood on the podium was in 2007, when Denis Menchov won that race.

9.

Ilnur Zakarin became Russian champion in the individual time trial during the season, and finished his season by representing Russia at the World Championships.

10.

Ilnur Zakarin won the 2017 award for "Athlete of the year" in Tatarstan, and received the prize at the ceremony of athletes of the year of Tatarstan on 18 December at the Volga Region State Academy of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Tatarstan.

11.

Ilnur Zakarin began the 2018 season at the Abu Dhabi Tour.

12.

Ilnur Zakarin did not have any top 10 performances until the Criterium du Dauphine where he finished 10th.

13.

Ilnur Zakarin rode the Tour de France where he suffered a crash in the first week and survived the cobblestones of stage 9 where many general classification riders had a bad day; he was outside the top 10 going into the final week.

14.

Ilnur Zakarin is a native of Naberezhnye Chelny in the Tatarstan region of Russia, and lives in Cyprus.

15.

Ilnur Zakarin is a Muslim, goes to mosque during the year, and listens to Tatari music to remind him of home.