Vasil Kiryienka Retires

shipley
shipley Posts: 549
Due to an ongoing heart condition Vasil Kiryienka has announced his retirement. I was always amazed by his ‘diesel engine’ abilities, the speed he could maintain and the fact that he is a nice guy. Much as I have hated the Sky/Ineos ‘train’ antics, I’ll miss watching him.

Comments

  • StillGoing
    StillGoing Posts: 5,211
    He was always enjoyable to watch, calmly pulling the Sky train up the hill. Can't remember what race stage his breakaway was in, but it was epic to watch.
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • He had the face of a poker player....never gave any inkling as to his state of pain/fatigue/ease whatever........Jalabert was similar in his day with that ability
  • m.r.m.
    m.r.m. Posts: 3,465
    He hasn't been himself for years. He was an utter beast in his prime. Total monster!
    PTP Champion 2019, 2022 & 2023
  • timothyw
    timothyw Posts: 2,482
    Biggest achievement probably the Worlds TT in 2015? Couple of podiums down the years against strong fields too.

    Good rider, and as above hasn't been himself for a few years, sure Bernal/Thomas/Froome etc would've loved to have him back making those big pulls this summer!
  • Dorset_Boy
    Dorset_Boy Posts: 7,461
    Strongest flatland domestique in the last xxx years.
    Shame he couldn't retire on his own terms.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Ugh, most overrated rider after Teejay.

    I never got the cult love around him.
  • dish_dash
    dish_dash Posts: 5,646

    Ugh, most overrated rider after Teejay.

    I never got the cult love around him.

    Key engine in the Sky Train... what's not to love? ;)
  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    Cameron Wurf has been signed to replace him. He makes the rest of the squad look lazy now. He can do all the cycling and still run a sub 3 marathon off the back of it. Monster.
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,338

    Ugh, most overrated rider after Teejay.

    I never got the cult love around him.

    Really? People just rate him for being really good at the role he performs. He just looks so calm and unflappable riding on the front for ages at a pace no-one can attack off. If anything I'd say he's underrated as a rider in his own right. Teejay on the other had is supposed to be a GT rider
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,504
    fenix said:

    Cameron Wurf has been signed to replace him. He makes the rest of the squad look lazy now. He can do all the cycling and still run a sub 3 marathon off the back of it. Monster.

    They won't sponsor a women's team, but they are prepared to hire a mate to help him improve his Ironman results. *shrugs*
  • bobmcstuff
    bobmcstuff Posts: 11,418
    fenix said:

    Cameron Wurf has been signed to replace him. He makes the rest of the squad look lazy now. He can do all the cycling and still run a sub 3 marathon off the back of it. Monster.

    Yeah just saw this, kinda surprising!

    Apparently hes riding in the Cuddles race. See how he goes.
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,246
    andyp said:

    fenix said:

    Cameron Wurf has been signed to replace him. He makes the rest of the squad look lazy now. He can do all the cycling and still run a sub 3 marathon off the back of it. Monster.

    They won't sponsor a women's team, but they are prepared to hire a mate to help him improve his Ironman results. *shrugs*

    He’s been closely associated with the team for a few years. He goes to their training camps, uses the same kit, is coached by Tim Kerrison. They may as well make it formal and let him do a couple of races for minimum wage.
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,900
    cycling fitness its not all good. it is an insanely brutal effort.
    "If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm