Gilberto Simoni

Gilberto Simoni, born on 25 August 1971 in Palù di Giovo in Trentino, is an Italian former professional road bicycle racer who was considered a climbing specialist. He won the Giro d'Italia twice, in 2001 and 2003. In 2002 he tested positive for cocaine and was withdrawn from the race by his Saeco team, and he was later cleared of any doping violation by the Italian Cycling Federation. Apart from that withdrawal he finished on the podium of every Giro between 1999 and 2006. In 1993 he won the amateur Giro, known as the Baby Giro, and the Italian Road Cycling Championship, and he turned professional in 1994. He also won the Alto de El Angliru stage of the 2000 Vuelta a España, and his final race was the 2010 Giro d'Italia, which he finished in 69th place.