Flavio Vanzella

Flavio Vanzella was a vital member of the Italian the 4x100km time trial team for many years and was regarded as a fine rouleur. He won a silver medal at the 1986 World Championships in Colorado Springs (USA), and the following year, along with Roberto Fortunato, Eros Poli, and Mario Scirea, the quartet were champions. Sadly, they only finished fifth at 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Vanzella turned professional with Malvor-Sidi in 1989. He was often used as a support rider, but he won the prestigious Giro del Veneto in 1995 and achieved some important placings such as third place in the 1991 Milano-Vignola and in the 1995 Tour of the Netherlands, and a stage win in in the 1995 Tour de Suisse.

Vanzella also had the honor of wearing the yellow jersey at the 1994 Tour de France, after the Calais-Eurotunnel 66.5 km team time trial was won by his team GB-MG Maglificio - Bianchi. He held the “maillot jaune” for two days on British roads during the Brighton and Portsmouth stages, but lost it on the sixth stage after returning to French soil. He participated six times in the “Grand Boucle” without ever retiring, and four times in the Giro d’Italia. Vanzella retired from professional cycle racing in 1998.