Paolo Savoldelli

Paolo Savoldelli (born 7 May 1973) is an Italian former road racing cyclist, winner of the 2002 and 2005 Giro d'Italia.

Savoldelli was a climber but known for his fast downhill riding. He is nicknamed Il Falco ("the falcon"). His downhill skills won him the 2005 Giro. His descent of the Colle delle Finestre before the final ascent to Sestriere in the penultimate stage, closed a gap to Gilberto Simoni, preserving his lead and giving him the win.

On 20 July 2005, Savoldelli won the 17th stage of the Tour de France. He led in the 2007 Giro d'Italia, but worked for teammate Eddy Mazzoleni.

Savoldelli retired from competitive professional cycling at the end of the 2008 season. He did not leave the cycling world however, as he embarked on a career covering the sport in the media.

As of 2012, Savoldelli worked for the Italian television channel RAI, providing viewers with commentary on cycling races. He comments from a motorbike, offering insights from a first-hand point of view. He concludes each of his interventions with an emphatic "A Voi!" (Italian for "Back to you!"), which became his trademark.

Despite having already retired, in May 2014 Savoldelli was banned from bicycle racing for six months for being a client of the infamous doping doctor, Michele Ferrari. Later his name was tied to evidence in the 2012 USADA Report as "Rider 1," and he is said to have set up and used EPO doping in the 2006 Giro d'Italia.

Career achievements Major results

1996 10th Overall Volta a Catalunya 1997 1st Stage 4 Hofbrau Cup 1998

1st Stage 2 9th Overall Giro d'Italia 10th Overall Tour de Romandie 1999

1st Stage 1 1st Trofeo Laigueglia 2nd Overall Giro d'Italia 1st Stage 14 4th Overall Tour de Romandie 2000

1st Prologue 3rd Overall Giro del Trentino 1st Stage 3 2001 Tour de Romandie 1st Prologue & Stage 2 4th Overall Tirreno–Adriatico 2002

7th Overall Tirreno–Adriatico 2004 6th Overall Tour of Britain 9th Tre Valli Varesine 2005

1st Stage 11 1st Stage 17 Tour de France 9th Klasika Primavera 2006 1st Prologue Tour de Romandie 4th Overall Tirreno–Adriatico 5th Overall Giro d'Italia

1st Prologue 2007 1st Stage 20 Giro d'Italia 2nd Overall Tour de Romandie 1st Prologue 2008 2nd Overall Settimana Ciclistica Lombarda

Grand Tour general classification results timeline

+ Legend — Did not compete DNF Did not finish DNF = Did not finish