Simone Bertoletti

Bertoletti began his professional career in 1996 with the Gewiss–Playbus team. The following season, he received his first victory, stage 5 of the Tour de Pologne. In 1998, he rode for Brescialat–Liquigas, and, in 1999, joined Lampre–Daikin, with which he spent six years.

In 2003, Bertoletti celebrated his biggest success during the Tour de Romandie, when he won the first stage of the race. He escaped the peloton for 160 kilometres in the rain, winning the stage by over a minute. This success allowed him to wear the yellow jersey for two days.^[2]

He participated in 11 total Grand Tours: five consecutive editions of the Giro d'Italia and six consecutive editions of the Vuelta a España, from 1999 to 2004.