Broken Link
You have clicked on a link formatted for an older version of our website. Although we are trying to clean up these older links, we could not automatically re-direct you to the current site's corresponding content.
Below is the archived article:
JAAN KIRSIPUU - Cyclist
2009-09-02 15:47:50 "Over the years the beefy Estonian Jaan Kirsipuu has become a sure bet in cycling, capable of planning his objectives and coming up with the goods when needed". www.tourdefrancenews.com "The Estonian is an integral part of any Lavenu team. The Frenchman can count on Kirsipuu delivering a number of decent wins every year". Peter Cossins The Daily Peleton.com |
Jaan Kirsipuu, born on 17 July 1969 in Tartu, is the first Estonian to ever win a stage of the Tour de France. Kirsipuu’s sports career began at the age of eight on the tennis courts and at the age of ten, he began attending cycling training. It was natural for Jaan to follow in the footsteps of his father Rein, a top cyclist and trainer, and his brother Toomas, a 7-time Estonian Champion and one of the first ex-USSR riders allowed to become a pro.
 Jaan Kirsipuu of Estonia reacts as he crosses the finish line to win the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Montaigu and Challans, western France, Sunday, July 4, 1999. Erik Zabel of Germany, right, placed third.  Jaan Kirsipuu of Estonia waves on the podium wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey he took after finishing second in the second stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Challans and Saint-Nazaire, western France, Monday, July 5, 1999.  Jaan Kirsipuu of Estonia celebrates after winning the first stage of the Tour de France 2004 between Liege and Charleroi. |
In 1999, Kirsipuu was the only other rider to wear the yellow jersey at the Tour de France besides eventual winner Lance Armstrong. He has won four Tour de France stages: stage 1 Montaigu – Challans in 1999, stage 6 Commercy – Strasbourg in 2001, stage 5 Soissons – Rouen in 2001 and stage 1 Liege – Charleroi in 2004.
In 2001 alone, Kirsipuu won two stages of the Tour Mediterranean, the Route Adelie, two stages of the Circuit de la Sarthe, the GP de Denain, four stages of the Quatre Jours de Dunkerque, a stage of the Tour de L'Oise and the Tartu Criterium. Add a stage of the Tour de Luxembourg, the Estonian Chrono Championship, a stage of the Tour de France, the Sadamast Sadamasse (Tallinn-Paldiski) and stages of the Tour du Poitou-Charentes, the Wyscig Pokoju and the Giro della Provincia di Lucca. These results helped Kirsipuu finish with the second highest number of wins in the 2001 season, behind world number one Erik Zabel.
In 2003, Kirsipuu won the Haribo Classic and joined the 100-victory club.
In 2004 in addition to his stage win at the Tour de France, Kirsipuu placed first at the Estonian Championships, the 2nd and 5th stages of the l’Etoile de Besseges, the 1st and 2nd stages of the Trois Jours des Flandres Occidentales, the 4th stage of the Tour de la Region Wallonne and the 1st stage of Paris-Correze.
In 2005, Jaan Kirsipuu rode for the first time at the Giro d'Italia for Credit Agricole placing 2nd in the sixth stage. He also placed 2nd in the Paris — Nice 108 km 4th stage.
In 2005, Kirsipuu continued to show strong form by winning the road Estonian Championships and the individual start. Kirsipuu had amassed 126 professional wins.
Kirsipuu initially retired at the end of the 2006, but participated in the 2007 Estonian championships, becoming time trial champion for the sixth time. In 2008 he was the manager of Latvian UCI Continental cycling team Rietumu Banka - Rīga. In 2009 he joined Team Giant-Veoila.
Photos from Scanpix
© Estonian Foreign Ministry
- Islandi väljak 1
- 15049 Tallinn
- TEL (+372) 6 377 000 (General Info)
- vminfo@vm.ee
