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Yaroslav Popovych (Ярослав Попович) (born in Drohobych, Ukraine on January 4, 1980) is a cyclist with the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team, and considered by many as a possible successor to Lance Armstrong as team leader. The Ukrainian turned pro in 2002 and has delivered some strong showings, most notably in the Giro d'Italia where he finished third in 2003 and fifth in 2004. The former U-23 World champion has further illustrated his potential by winning the white jersey of the 2005 Tour de France as the top young rider in the event. He also showed his potential by winning the Volta a Cataluna, a ProTour stage race in May. Popovych, along with the rest of the Discovery team, won stage four of the Team Time Trial in the 2005 Tour. In the 2006 Tour de France, he like his other Discovery Channel teammates faultered, without Lance Armstrong. Popovych was vying to lead the team with his teammates, Jose Azevedo, Paolo Salvodelli and George Hincapie, all of whom all failed as well. Popovych won stage 12 by attacking his fellow break-away compatriots Ballan, Freire and Le Mevel. Popovych is likely to ride as a support rider in 2007, as Discovery Channel have hired Levi Leipheimer and Ivan Basso as its team leaders.
[edit] Results
- 2006
- 25th, Overall, Tour de France
- 3rd, Overall, Tour de Georgia
- 1st, Stage 2
- 3rd, Stage 5
- 2nd, Overall, Sprint Classification
- 17th, Overall, Vuelta a Castilla y León
- 2005
- 2004
- 2003
- 2002
- 2001
- 1st, U23 World Road Race Cycling Championship
