Robert Hunter (cyclist)

Infobox Cyclist
ridername = Robert Hunter


fullname = Robert Hunter
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1977|04|22
country = RSA
height = height|m=1.78
weight = convert|72|kg|lb|abbr=on|lk=on
currentteam = Barloworld
discipline = Road
role = Rider
ridertype = Sprinter
amateurteams =
amateuryears =
proyears = 1999 – 2001
2002
2003 – 2004
2005 – 2006
2007 –
proteams = Lampre-Daikin
Mapei-Quickstep
Rabobank
Phonak Hearing Systems
Barloworld
majorwins = Tour de France, 1 stage
Vuelta a España, 2 stages
updated = February 5 2008

Robert Hunter (born 22 April 1977 in Johannesburg) is a South African professional road cyclist. Hunter became the first ever South African to compete in the Tour de France in 2001. [cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/riders/2003/interviews/?id=robert_hunter03|title=An interview with Robert Hunter: Refocusing after a bad hunting season|publisher=Cycling News|date=28 November 2003| author=Jean-Francois Quenet] In 2006 he rode for the Phonak Hearing Systems cycling team on the UCI ProTour, but after their disbandment he signed for UCI Continental Circuits side Barloworld for the 2007 season. His achievements include winning stages at the 1999 and 2001 Vuelta a España and the 2007 Tour de France, the overall title at the 2004 Tour of Qatar, and the sprint classification at the 2004 Tour de Suisse.

He has been awarded the "Cyclist of the Year Award" in South Africa five times between 2001 and 2007.

In 2007 he returned to the Tour de France as leader of the Barloworld team (which received a wildcard entry). Hunter won of the 2007 Tour de France, the first stage win by a rider from South Africa.

In 2008, Hunter was granted special permission by the Tour de France's doping controllers to fly to Switzerland on 4 July, the day prior to the event's start, in order to be at his wife Claudia's side for the birth of his daughter, Mandy Inga Hunter. [cite web| url=http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=185&art_id=vn20080704065752399C508090| title=Hunter's baby wins the sprint| date=4 July 2008| author=Kevin McCallum| publisher=Independent Online]

Palmarès

;1999 – Lampre-Daikin
* 1st, Stage 1 – Vuelta a España;2000 – Lampre-Daikin
* 2 stage wins and 2nd overall – Ronde van Nederland;2001 – Lampre-Daikin
* 1st, Stage 17 – Vuelta a España ;2002 – Mapei-Quick Step
* 1st, Sprinters Classification – Tour de Langkawi
** 1st, Stage 1
** 1st, Stage 4 ;2003 – Rabobank;2004 – Rabobank
* 1st, Sprint Classification – Tour de Suisse
** 1st, Stage 3
** 1st, Stage 5
* 1st overall – Tour of Qatar
** 1st, Stage 3
** 1st, Stage 5
* 1st, Stage 1 – Uniqua Classic
* 1st, Stage 3 – Uniqua Classic
* 1st, Stage 4 – Sachsen-Tour;2005 – Phonak Hearing Systems
* 1st – Doha International GP
* 1st, Stage 5 – Tour Méditerranéen
* 1st, Stage 4 – Setmana Catalana
* 1st, Stage 1 – Tour de Georgia
* 1st, Team Time Trial – Volta a Catalunya;2006 – Phonak Hearing Systems
* 1st, African Continental Championship Time Trial;2007 – Barloworld
*1st, Stage 5 – Giro del Capo
*1st, overall – Volta ao Distrito de Santarém
**1st, Stage 2
*1st, Stage 2 / leg 1 – Clasica Alcobendas
*1st, overall – Tour de Picardie
**1st, Stage 1
*1st, Stage 11 – Tour de France
*2nd, Points Classification – Tour de France;2008 – Barloworld
*1st, Intaka Tech Worlds View Challenges #3 & #4
*1st, Cape Argus Cycle Tour 2008

References

External links

* [http://www.robbiehunter.net Robert Hunter]
* [http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2002/tour02/?id=diaries/hunter_pretdf 2002 Cycling News Interview]

Persondata
NAME= Hunter, Robert
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Road bicycle racer
DATE OF BIRTH= 1977-04-22
PLACE OF BIRTH=Johannesburg, South Africa
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=