Stefano Garzelli

Stefano Garzelli (born July 16, 1973, in Varese) is an Italian professional road racing cyclist. The high point of his career to date was his stirring overall win in the 2000 Giro d'Italia, after a close three-way competition with Gilbert Simoni and Francesco Casagrande.

He started out as being a "gregario" for Marco Pantani but proved in 2000 that he deserved much more. When "The Pirate" lacked form in the beginning of the 2000 Giro, Garzelli was left free of all team duties for Mercatone Uno, and was able to fight and win his own battle in the Giro. In the last mountain stage he outsmarted rival Casagrande with the help of a rejuvenated Pantani; Casagrande was devastated, and Garzelli dedicated his win to Pantani.

He is a versatile rider with qualities that include decent sprinting, decent time trials and some good skills in the mountains. Without being a great attacker, Garzelli is very constant and, on a good day, he can easily go with the best climbers.