How the top talents fared in 2024: Nicolas Vinokourov - still room for improvement
Sebastian Lindner
· 19.11.2024
Nicolas Vinokourov has completed his first season as a professional cyclist. However, the 22-year-old Kazakh, who was born in Nice, has completed a year that has probably not quite lived up to his expectations. And probably not those of his team Astana Qazqastan under the leadership of his father Alexandre Vinokourov either. 71 race days with around 9500 kilometres of racing are on the books for him. A solid programme for a neo-pro, even though he did not complete all of them with the pros, but also partly with Astana's Devo team, where he was still based until last season.
When Vinokourov was travelling with the WoldTour team, there were no results. This is not necessarily unusual for neo-pros, who have to gain experience, learn and support their captains in their first year. However, there is hardly any result that stands out for the Kazakh that could indicate a peak in form. The closest he has come to this is 24th place in the Presidential Tour of Turkey (2.Pro) in the tough mountain finish on Spil Dagi.
Vinokourov becomes Asian champion in the U23
Meanwhile, things went better for Vinokourov in races with the Devo team, especially at the Tour of Japan (2.2). He finished the 5th stage on an undulating circuit as the winner. Even though he crossed the finish line as a soloist - strictly speaking, it is his first victory as a professional, but not his first victory in a professional race, as participation is reserved for continental teams and club teams. Nevertheless, Vinokourov sold himself well in Japan, also finishing fourth overall behind three riders who all have previous experience on the WorldTour.
But what happens in Asia receives little attention in Europe in terms of cycling. This also applies to the continental championships. Vinokourov became Asian champion in the U23 category in June and finished fifth in the road race a few days later. At the subsequent Kazakh championships, he also finished fifth on the road and against the clock, albeit in the elite class.
Vinokourov presents himself at the Vuelta
However, Vinokourov was not able to do more. Nevertheless, he was able to contest his first Grand Tour in the second half of the season. At the Vuelta, he started as a mountain helper for captain Lorenzo Fortunato, earning a 16th place in the final standings for the Italian. He himself finished the tour in 128th place, only seven riders were slower.
On two days, the Kazakh was nevertheless further forward, made it into the breakaway group on the 13th and 18th stages and was able to ride in the breakaway for quite some time, although he was unable to intervene in the decision for the stage win.
Vinokourov seems to be a long way from following in the footsteps of his successful father. At least for the moment. However, at the age of 22, Alexandre Vinokourov was not yet a professional cyclist, but a student of sport and biology at the teacher training college in his home country. But perhaps Nicolas Vinokourov does not want to follow the path of his father, who is also a convicted doper.
Beloki with first successes
Markel Beloki, another son of a prominent ex-pro, turned professional in 2024. The offspring of Joseba Beloki, who finished on the podium three times in the Tour de France and once in the Vuelta at the turn of the millennium, made the step up to the WorldTour with EF Education EsayPost. The 19-year-old was able to make his first mark in the time trial in particular. In June, he finished second - albeit half a minute behind winner David de la Cruz - and only just missed out on becoming the Spanish elite time trial champion. He finished the U23 European Championships in twelfth place in the battle against the clock.
