Rein Taaramäe
An Estonian cycling pioneer who conquered the Alps and Pyrenees, becoming his nation's first Grand Tour stage winner in a generation.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Estonian road bicycle racer·Birthday: April 24·Millennials
Biography
Rein Taaramäe emerged from the small cycling nation of Estonia to carve out a distinctive career on the punishing slopes of Europe's grandest races. Turning professional in 2008, he quickly established himself as a pure climber, his slight frame built for ascents. His breakthrough arrived in 2009 when he won a mountainous stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné, announcing his talent. The pinnacle came in 2011 at the Vuelta a España, where he not only won a stage but held the leader's red jersey for a day, a rare feat for an Estonian. His career, marked by resilience through team changes and injuries, saw him claim stage wins in both the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France, cementing his status as a fearless and respected mountain specialist who consistently punched above his nation's weight in the peloton.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Rein was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Rein Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Rein's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won Stage 9 of the 2011 Vuelta a España and held the race leader's red jersey.
- Claimed a stage victory on the legendary Alpe d'Huez at the 2022 Critérium du Dauphiné.
- Secured a mountain stage win at the 2016 Giro d'Italia, finishing atop the Alpe di Siusi.
- Achieved multiple top-10 overall finishes in week-long World Tour stage races like the Tour de Suisse.
Did You Know?
His surname, Taaramäe, translates to 'Star Land' or 'Land of Stars' in Estonian.
He is an avid chess player and has participated in celebrity chess tournaments.
Before his 2022 Dauphiné win, his last World Tour victory was 11 years prior at the 2011 Vuelta.
He has ridden for teams based in France, Kazakhstan, and Japan during his professional career.
“The mountain doesn't care about your pain; you just have to climb.”
