Is a Classics win in sight for Simon Spilak?

Simon Spilak (photo by Petit Brun, Flickr)

Most cycling fans only remember first place.

So they might not recognize Simon Spilak, the Lampre rider who finished second overall at the Tour of Romandy in 2010 – though since the disqualification of Alejandro Valverde, Spilak moved up to a first place result in that race.

Spilak, nicknamed “Spile,” joined Katusha in 2012. He showed off his climbing and time trialing skills at this year’s Paris-Nice with a fifth place on the stage 5 uphill finish into Mende alongside Levi Leipheimer and a strong fourth in today’s stage 8 time trial.

His profile on the Katusha website says his “Cycling Secret Wish” is to win a Classics race.

Based on his performance in Paris-Nice, that dream may become a reality very soon.

Career Highlights

Born: 06/23/1986, in Tisina (Slovenia)

2012 – 4^thoverall, Paris-Nice

2011 – 3^rd, stage 2 Tour of Slovenia; 6^th, stage 1 Giro d’Italia

2010 – 1^st, stage 4 Tour de Romandy; 1^st overall Tour de Romandy (after disqualification of Valverde’s win); 2^nd, stage 3 Presidential Tour of Turkey

2009 – 1^st, stage 3 Tour of Slovenia

2007 – 1^st, La Côte de Picarde (U23); 4^th, Tour de l’Avenir

2006 – 1^st, Trofej Plava Laguna 1;1^st, overall Steiermark Rundfahrt

2005 – Slovenia U23 national road champion

2004 – Slovenia Junior national road and TT champion; 3^rd, Junior World Championship road race

Teams

2012 Katusha Team

2011 Lampre – ISD

2010 Lampre – Farnese Vini

2009 Lampre-N.G.C.

2008 Lampre

2006, 2007 Adria Mobil

2005 Krka – Adria Mobil

[With gratitude to Petit Brun for Creative Commons photo sharing on Flickr.]