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.

Laura Weislo has been with Cyclingnews since 2006 after making a switch from a career in science. As Managing Editor, she coordinates coverage for North American events and global news. As former elite-level road racer who dabbled in cyclo-cross and track, Laura has a passion for all three disciplines. When not working she likes to go camping and explore lesser traveled roads, paths and gravel tracks. Laura specialises in covering doping, anti-doping, UCI governance and performing data analysis.