Roman started off 2007 by passing the California BAR exam. On the bike, he was instrumental in helping to deliver several stage race wins for the team last season, including the Mt. Hood Cycling Classic and the Tour of the Gila. He'll continue his development as a rider and tactician in 2008.
Date of Birth/Location: 11-27-1981 Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 170
Current Residence: Oakland, CA
Education (include years): UC Berkeley B.A., UC Hastings J.D.
Years Racing:9
Years as a Pro: 5
Previous Team(s)/Year(s): Health Net pb Maxxis (2006-07), McGuire/Langdale (2004-2005), Santa Cruz Spokesman (2002-2003)
Strengths on the bike: All-arounder
Strengths off the bike: Patience and communication
Nickname: Neo
Family Status: Older Brother
Favorite Movies: Doctor Strangelove, Little Miss Sunshine, The Royal Tenenbaums
Currently on my iPod: Lots of punk rock, some folk and metal.
Little known fact about Roman: I like to bake and work on my car.
Palmares
Wins:
2007
1st Wente Wineyards Road Race
1st Team Pursuit NCNCA Track Championship
2006
1st Points Competition, Tour of Willamette Valley
1st Northern CA and NV Criterium Championships
1st Pegasus/Vandenberghe Omnium
2005
1st Tour of Shenandoah
1st Watsonville Crit
1st Stockton Waterfront Crit
2003
1st Collegiate Team Time Trail National Champ (also in '02 and '01)
1st Santa Nella Road Race
1st McLane Pacific Road Race Cat. 2
Other Major Results:
2007
2nd Team Pursuit, US Track Nationals
2nd Points Race, NCNCA Track Championship
3rd Overall, La Vuelta de Bisbee
3rd Stage 3, La Vuelta de Bisbee
4th Tour of the Gila Time Trial
4th Sea Otter Classic Road Race
2006
3rd Overall, Tour of Willamette Valley
3rd Stage 4, Tour of Willamette Valley
3rd Lafayette Criterium
6th Stage 1, Tour of Willamette Valley
6th Stage 3, Tour of Willamette Valley
7th Stage 2, Tour of Willamette Valley
7th Nevada City Classic
12th Sea Otter Classic Road Race
2005
2nd Sea Otter Stage 2
2nd Tour of Shenandoah stage 4
3rd Overall Sea Otter Classic
4th Pescadero Road Race
5th Kenosha Crit Super Week
2004
2nd Pescadero Road Race
2nd Orosi Road Race
5th Corral hollw Road Race
10th Shorewood Crit Superweek
2003
4th Elkhorn Stage Race Stage 1
5th Elkhorn Stage Race Overall
In his own words
Now that you've passed the BAR, are you in any hurry to start practicing law?
Not really. I am looking forward to that in the future but right now I am 100% focused on cycling.
What are your goals or expectations for the 2008 season?
I want to continue improve my time trialing ability. Last year I had some good results that I want to build on and become more consistent.
How did you spend this off-season?
I did some track racing and helped with my dad's new cafe.
When did you start racing, and why?
I started racing mountain bikes my junior year of high school because it looked cool and I wanted to get more chicks.
Who were/are your cycling mentors and/or influences?
My coaches at Five Rings Cycling Center, Gord Fraser, Martina Patella, Dave McCook, and my family.
What was your first bike? When/how did you get it?
Don't remember the brand, but it was a 20" red bike that my dad bought for me as surprise. I rode it all over town and it was a huge deal for me.
What was your first win?
Junior mountain bike race in the Knobular series.
What would you consider your finest moment on the bike?
There were many great moments in 2006 that might qualify. If I had to pick one it would probably be helping Gord win the overall at Joe Martin Stage Race.
What was your worst or most embarrassing moment on the bike?
I crashed in front of my favorite coffee shop with all my friends watching the first day out in my new Health Net kit.
What's the strangest thing you've seen on a bike ride?
Lots of Bad Larrys (Cicadas) mating in Maryland.
What's the strangest thing you've done on a bike ride?
Eating a pork chop.
What's the one thing you've done on a ride (training or race) that you will absolutely never do again?
Drink beer in the middle of a long ride.
When you're not on your bike, what do you like to do?
Sleep, bake, work on my car, read, sit at the coffee shop and eat baked goods.
If you weren't a pro cyclist what would you be doing?
I would probably be going to school and doing another sport like swimming or running.
