Maurizio Fondriest

Born in Cles, Trentino, Fondriest turned professional in 1987 with the Ecoflam Team and that year had his first professional victory in Lerida during a stage of the Vuelta a Catalunya. He subsequently rode for Alfa-Lum in 1988. That year he also won stages in the Tour de Suisse and Tirreno–Adriatico and finished second behind Laurent Fignon at the 1988 Milan-San Remo.^[3][4]

Later that year, he won the 1988 World Cycling Championships in Rome at the age of 23 years-old, one of the youngest ever winners, taking advantage of a crash involving his breakaway companions Steve Bauer of Canada and Belgian Claude Criquielion.^[5]

In 1990 he won the Coppa Ugo Agostoni, after dropping illustrious compatriots Gianni Bugno and Claudio Chiappucci.^[3] He had a top-five finish at the 1990 Milan-San Remo and 1990 Tour of Flanders.^[6][7] He missed the Giro d'Italia that year with injury and his team opted out of the Tour de France but in August he placed third overall at the 1990 Tour of Britain, winning one stage but being active enough in others to win the points classification.^[8] Later that year he finished third in a small group behind Rolf Sørensen and Phil Anderson at the finish of Paris–Tours.^[9]

From 1991, he left Italy and began riding for Panasonic.^[4] He won the season-long UCI Road World Cup that year. Despite not winning any of the individual races, his performances included 2nd at the 1991 Amstel Gold Race behind Frans Maassen.^[5][10]

In 1993, riding for the Lampre team, he won Milan–San Remo, La Flèche Wallonne, the Züri-Metzgete, the Giro dell'Emilia, the general classification and two stages of Tirreno–Adriatico, three stages and the general classification of the Grand Prix du Midi Libre, a stage in the Giro d'Italia, and the overall World Cup.^[5][3]

While he never again had such a successful season, he had another successful season with Lampre in 1995: in that year he won a stage in the Giro d'Italia and came in second in twelve races including the Tirreno–Adriatico general classification, Milan–San Remo, Gent–Wevelgem, La Flèche Wallonne, and a stage in the Giro d'Italia.^[5]

Fondriest finished fourth in the individual time trial in Atlanta at the 1996 Olympic Games, the first Olympics open to professional riders. Although latterly troubled by back injuries, he finished his racing career with the French Cofidis team in 1997 and 1998, before retiring with 69 race victories in total.^[3]

Multiple-time Olympic medalist and Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins identified Fondriest as having a particularly elegant riding style.^[5]

After retiring he founded the company Fondriest with his brother Francesco, making carbon fibre bicycles. He has also commentated on races for Sky Italia.^[5]

Married to Ornella, his victory in Milan-San Remo came hours after the birth of his first daughter, Vittoria. He also has children Carlotta and Lorenzo.^[5][3]

Grand Tour general classification results timeline

More information Grand Tour, Giro d'Italia ...

Grand Tour	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998
Giro d'Italia	DNF	—	28	—	—	—	8	—	DNF	—	—	—
Tour de France	—	—	—	—	15	46	—	—	DNF	51	—	—
Vuelta a España	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	49	DNF

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More information —, DNF ...

Legend

—	Did not compete
DNF	Did not finish

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