Francesco Casagrande
Encyclopedia
Francesco Casagrande is an Italian
former professional road racing cyclist. Casagrande was a professional cyclist between 1992 and 2005.
, but faltered badly and wound up 2nd to fellow Italian Stefano Garzelli
. Casagrande did, however, win the King of the Mountains
competition and its Maglia verde (or green jersey) in the race.
In major one-day races, he has won the Clásica de San Sebastián
in 1998 and 1999, followed by the 2000 editions of the La Flèche Wallonne
and Subida a Urkiola. Also in 1999, he placed 4th in the World Cycling Championships Road Race behind Óscar Freire
, Marcus Zberg, and Jean-Cyril Robin
.
In his early career, Casagrande won the 1996 Tirreno–Adriatico and Vuelta al País Vasco — both one-week stage races.
Casagrande also scored victories at the 2001 and 2002 Giro del Trentino
and the 2002 Settimana Ciclistica Internazionale Coppi-Bartali.
Casagrande is one of the most consistent performers in the past few years and has been in the final stages of numerous races. Lacking a strong sprint, however, has kept Casagrande from more victories.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
former professional road racing cyclist. Casagrande was a professional cyclist between 1992 and 2005.
Biography
He is a proven performer in the Grand Tours and the major one-day races. He wore the leader’s jersey into the penultimate stage of the 2000 Giro d'ItaliaGiro d'Italia
The Giro d'Italia , also simply known as The Giro, is a long distance road bicycle racing stage race for professional cyclists held over three weeks in May/early June in and around Italy. The Giro is one of the three Grand Tours , and is part of the UCI World Ranking calendar...
, but faltered badly and wound up 2nd to fellow Italian Stefano Garzelli
Stefano Garzelli
Stefano Garzelli is an Italian professional road racing cyclist. The high point of his career to date was his overall win in the 2000 Giro d'Italia, after a close three-way competition with Gilberto Simoni and Francesco Casagrande.-Career:He started out as being a domestique for Marco Pantani but...
. Casagrande did, however, win the King of the Mountains
King of the Mountains
The King of the Mountains is the title given to the best climber in a cycling road race; usually and officially known as the Mountains classification...
competition and its Maglia verde (or green jersey) in the race.
In major one-day races, he has won the Clásica de San Sebastián
Clásica de San Sebastián
The Donostia-Donostia Klasikoa - Clásica San Sebastián-San Sebastián is a cycle race that has been held every summer since 1981 in San Sebastián, Spain...
in 1998 and 1999, followed by the 2000 editions of the La Flèche Wallonne
La Flèche Wallonne
La Flèche Wallonne is a major men's professional cycle road race held in April each year in Belgium.The first of two Belgian Ardennes classics, La Flèche Wallonne is today normally held mid-week between the Amstel Gold Race and Liège–Bastogne–Liège...
and Subida a Urkiola. Also in 1999, he placed 4th in the World Cycling Championships Road Race behind Óscar Freire
Óscar Freire
Óscar Freire Gómez is a Spanish professional road bicycle racer, riding for the UCI ProTeam Rabobank. He is one of the top sprinters in road bicycle racing, having won the world championship a three times, equalling Alfredo Binda, Rik Van Steenbergen and Eddy Merckx...
, Marcus Zberg, and Jean-Cyril Robin
Jean-Cyril Robin
Jean-Cyril Robin is a French former professional road racing cyclist.-Palmarès:1992...
.
In his early career, Casagrande won the 1996 Tirreno–Adriatico and Vuelta al País Vasco — both one-week stage races.
Casagrande also scored victories at the 2001 and 2002 Giro del Trentino
Giro del Trentino
The Giro del Trentino is an Italian cycle road race. It is run typically mid-to-late April over four stages in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region of Italy....
and the 2002 Settimana Ciclistica Internazionale Coppi-Bartali.
Casagrande is one of the most consistent performers in the past few years and has been in the final stages of numerous races. Lacking a strong sprint, however, has kept Casagrande from more victories.
Major wins
- Clásica de San SebastiánClásica de San SebastiánThe Donostia-Donostia Klasikoa - Clásica San Sebastián-San Sebastián is a cycle race that has been held every summer since 1981 in San Sebastián, Spain...
(1998, 1999) - La Flèche WallonneLa Flèche WallonneLa Flèche Wallonne is a major men's professional cycle road race held in April each year in Belgium.The first of two Belgian Ardennes classics, La Flèche Wallonne is today normally held mid-week between the Amstel Gold Race and Liège–Bastogne–Liège...
(2000) - Tour de SuisseTour de SuisseThe Tour de Suisse is a UCI World Tour stage race held annually in June. The race debuted in 1933 and has evolved in timing, duration and sponsorship. With the Critérium du Dauphiné, it is a proving ground for the Tour de France, and part of the UCI World Ranking calendar...
(1999) - Giro del TrentinoGiro del TrentinoThe Giro del Trentino is an Italian cycle road race. It is run typically mid-to-late April over four stages in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region of Italy....
(2001, 2002) - Tirreno–Adriatico (1996)
- Vuelta al País Vasco (1996)
- Tour of Tuscany (1994)
- Tour of Emilia (1994)
- Milan-Turin (1994)
- Tour of the Apennines (1995)
- Coppa Agostoni (2001, 2003)
- Tour de SuisseTour de SuisseThe Tour de Suisse is a UCI World Tour stage race held annually in June. The race debuted in 1933 and has evolved in timing, duration and sponsorship. With the Critérium du Dauphiné, it is a proving ground for the Tour de France, and part of the UCI World Ranking calendar...
(2003)- 1 stage win
- Giro d'ItaliaGiro d'ItaliaThe Giro d'Italia , also simply known as The Giro, is a long distance road bicycle racing stage race for professional cyclists held over three weeks in May/early June in and around Italy. The Giro is one of the three Grand Tours , and is part of the UCI World Ranking calendar...
- 2 stage wins
- Maglia verde King of the Mountains
- 12 days in Maglia rosaMaglia rosaThe pink jersey is awarded to the leader of the General Classification at the Giro d'Italia. The leader of the GC is the rider who has the fastest time when all the stage results are added together, taking into account time bonuses for high finishes and intermediate sprints...
Runner-up
- Giro d'Italia (2000)
- Giro di Lombardia (2000)
- Clásica de San Sebastián (2001)
- Giro del LazioGiro del LazioThe Giro del Lazio is a semi classic European bicycle race held in the region of Lazio, Italy. Since 2005, the race has been organised as a 1.HC event on the UCI Europe Tour....
(1999) - HEW Cyclassics (2000)
- Giro del VenetoGiro del VenetoThe Giro del Veneto is a semi classic European bicycle race held in the region of Veneto, Italy. The race is a 1.1 event on the UCI Europe Tour, meaning a one-day race that is not the hardest in difficulty, but harder than most.-Winners:...
(1999, 2000) - Tour of Emilia (2001, 2004)
See also
- List of doping cases in cycling
- List of sportspeople sanctioned for doping offences