Valeriy Kobzarenko

Valeriy Kobzarenko has his sights set on a return to the Olympics in 2008.

Already a three-time Olympian for his native country of Ukraine, Kobzarenko is a past national road race champion (1997). He also has a silver medal from his spot on the Ukrainian team pursuit squad at the 1998 World Championships.

A tough and powerful rider, Kobzarenko honed in on his talent on the hard roads of Eastern Europe. He excels in long, hard races when the weather is far from ideal. In 2007, he scored top 10 finishes overall at the Tour of Ireland and Tour of Missouri while helping his team finish third in the team time trial at the International Tour de ‘Toona.

Like Team Type 1 teammates Ben Brooks and Glen Chadwick, he spent the past two seasons riding under Sport Director Ed Beamon on the Navigators Insurance Cycling Team, which disbanded at the end of 2007. He is also fluent in both Russian and Ukranian.

Kobzarenko and his wife, Erina, are the proud parents of a baby girl, Sofia, born in March.

Career Pro Team History

2004: Acqua e Sapone (ITA)
2005: Acqua e Sapone-Adria Mobil (ITA)
2006: Navigators Insurance Cycling Team (USA)
2007: Navigators Insurance Cycling Team (USA)

Career Highlights

1st, 1997 Ukraine Junior National Road Championships
1st Overall, 2006 Tour de Beauce
1st, Stage 1, 2006 Tour de Beauce
2nd, Team Pursuit, 1998 World Junior Track Championships
3rd, 2000 Ukraine National Road Championships
3rd Overall, 2003 Paths of King Nikola

2007 Highlights

3rd, Team Time Trial, International Tour de ‘Toona
6th, Stage 2, Tour of Missouri
6th, Stage 2, Tour de Beauce
7th Overall, Tour of Missouri
8th Overall, Tour of Ireland
10th, U.S. Open Cycling Championships