Zanini retires after 17 pro seasons

Stefano Zanini (Predictor - Lotto) (Image credit: Ben Atkins)

Stefano Zanini announced his retirement from pro cycling after 17 seasons. The rider opted to end his career after recent accidents and the lack of a contract extension with his Predictor-Lotto team for 2008. The 38 year-old has previously ridden for Gewiss -Bianchi, Mapei and Liquigas and logged 30 career victories.

In 1996, he became the first Italian to win the Amstel Gold Race. He also counts the 1995 Milano-Torino, and the final stage of the 2000 Tour de France and two Giro d'Italia stage wins (1994, 2001) among his palmares.

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Laura Weislo is a Cyclingnews veteran of 20 years. Having joined in 2006, Laura extensively covered the Operacion Puerto doping scandal, the years-long conflict between the UCI and the Tour de France organisers ASO over the creation of the WorldTour, and the downfall of Lance Armstrong and his lifetime ban for doping. As Managing Editor, Laura coordinates coverage for North American events and global news.