Franco Ballerini facts for kids
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Ballerini at the 1993 Tour de France
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| Personal information | |||
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| Full name | Franco Ballerini | ||
| Born | 11 December 1964 Florence, Italy |
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| Died | 7 February 2010 (aged 45) Pistoia, Italy |
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| Team information | |||
| Discipline | Road | ||
| Role | Rider | ||
| Major wins | |||
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Franco Ballerini (born December 11, 1964 – died February 7, 2010) was a famous Italian road racing cyclist. He was known for his strong performances in tough, one-day races.
Born in Florence, Italy, Franco Ballerini became a cycling legend. His biggest wins were two victories in the famous cycling classic race called Paris–Roubaix. He achieved these wins while riding for the Mapei cycling team. In 1993, he almost won Paris–Roubaix but was just barely beaten at the finish line. He also won other important one-day races like Omloop Het Volk and Paris–Brussels.
After his racing career, Ballerini became the manager of the Italian national cycling team. He led the team to many victories. In 2002, his team won the World Championships with Mario Cipollini. They also won gold at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens with his former teammate Paolo Bettini. Franco Ballerini guided the team to more World Championship wins in 2006, 2007, and 2008 with riders like Paolo Bettini and Alessandro Ballan.
Sadly, on February 7, 2010, Franco Ballerini passed away at the age of 45. He was a big fan of rallying (a type of car racing). He was seriously injured during a rally race in Larciano, where he was helping as a co-driver. He died from his injuries at the Pistoia city hospital.
Cycling race organizers honored him in 2010 to remember his great contributions to the sport.
Franco Ballerini's Major Wins
Franco Ballerini had many impressive wins during his career. He was especially good at races that were long and challenging. Here are some of his most important achievements:
- Paris–Roubaix: He won this very tough race twice, in 1995 and 1998. This race is famous for its rough cobblestone roads.
- Giro d'Italia: In 1991, he won one stage of the Giro d'Italia, which is one of cycling's biggest multi-day races.
- Omloop Het Volk: He won this Belgian classic race in 1995.
- Paris–Brussels: He was the winner of this race in 1990.
- Grand Prix des Amériques: He won this major race in 1990.
- Tre Valli Varesine: He won this Italian race in 1987.
- GP Città di Camaiore: He won this race in 1989.
- Giro del Piemonte: He won this race in 1990.
- Giro della Romagna: He won this race in 1991.
- Grand Prix de Wallonie: He won this race in 1996.
He also finished second in the famous Paris–Roubaix race in 1993 and third in 1994.
Grand Tour Races
Franco Ballerini also took part in some of cycling's biggest multi-day races, known as Grand Tours. These include the Giro d'Italia (Tour of Italy), the Tour de France (Tour of France), and the Vuelta a España (Tour of Spain). He completed the Tour de France in 1992 and 1993, and the Vuelta a España in 1997.
See also
In Spanish: Franco Ballerini para niños
