Gianni Meersman
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Meulebeke, West Flanders, Belgium
 Meersman at the 2013 Tour de l'Ain. | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Gianni Meersman |
| Nickname | Merrie[1] |
| Born | 5 December 1985 Meulebeke, West Flanders, Belgium |
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)[1] |
| Weight | 63 kg (139 lb)[1] |
| Team information | |
| Current team | Pauwels Sauzen–Bingoal |
| Disciplines |
|
| Role |
|
| Rider type | Attacker[1] Stage hunter[1] |
| Professional teams | |
| 2007 | Discovery Channel |
| 2008–2011 | Française des Jeux |
| 2012 | Lotto–Belisol[2] |
| 2013–2016 | Omega Pharma–Quick-Step[3] |
| Managerial team | |
| 2017– | Marlux–Napoleon Games (directeur sportif) |
| Major wins | |
Grand Tours
| |
Gianni Meersman (born 5 December 1985) is a Belgian former professional track and road bicycle racer, who rode professionally between 2007 and 2016 for the Discovery Channel, FDJ, Lotto–Belisol and Etixx–Quick-Step teams. He currently works as a directeur sportif for the Pauwels Sauzen–Bingoal team.
After stage 3 of the 2007 Tour de Georgia, Meersman was forced to abandon the race due to a severe case of patella tendinitis. He treated the riders of the Grand Peloton, a charity fundraiser ride, to his presence as the Peloton Captain of the "Blue Peloton". Meersman finally came to Grand Tour prominence, after 10 years as a professional racer, at the 2016 Vuelta a España winning two stages in bunch sprints. During the race, Fortuneo–Vital Concept announced that Meersman had agreed a one-year contract with the team for 2017.[4] However, a diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmia and scar tissue on his heart forced Meersman to announce his retirement on 30 December 2016.[5] On 11 October 2017, Meersman was confirmed as the new sporting director for cyclo-cross team Marlux–Napoleon Games.[6]
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