Gianni Meersman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Gianni Meersman

Meersman at the 2013 Tour de l'Ain.
Personal information
Nickname	Merrie
Born	(1985-12-05) 5 December 1985 (age 39) Meulebeke, West Flanders, Belgium
Height	1.77 m
Weight	63 kg
Team information
Current team	Pauwels Sauzen–Bingoal
Role	Rider (retired) Directeur sportif
Rider type	Attacker Stage hunter
Major wins
Grand Tours Vuelta a España 2 individual stages (2016) Stage races Tour de Wallonie (2014) One-day races and Classics Great Ocean Road Race (2015) Handzame Classic (2015)

Gianni Meersman, born on December 5, 1985, is a former professional cyclist from Belgium. He used to race both on tracks and roads. He rode for several professional teams from 2007 to 2016. Today, he works as a directeur sportif (which is like a team manager or coach) for a cycling team.

In 2007, Gianni had to stop racing in the Tour de Georgia because of a knee injury called patella tendinitis. This is when the tendon connecting your kneecap to your shinbone gets sore. He later became well-known in big races called Grand Tours. This happened after ten years as a professional rider.

In 2016, he won two stages in the 2016 Vuelta a España, which is a very important cycling race. He won these stages in group sprints, where many riders race to the finish line together. However, Gianni had to stop racing professionally on December 30, 2016. Doctors found a heart condition called cardiac arrhythmia, which means his heart beat irregularly. They also found scar tissue on his heart.

After retiring from racing, Gianni started a new role. On October 11, 2017, he became a sporting director for a cyclo-cross team. A sporting director helps manage the team and guides the riders.

Gianni Meersman's Cycling Achievements

Gianni Meersman had many great results during his cycling career. He won several races and stages, showing his skill as a rider.

Early Career Success

• 2004
  • 1st Circuit de Wallonie
• 2005
  • 1st Stage 1 Ronde de l'Isard
  • 3rd Flèche Ardennaise
• 2007
  • 1st Stage 5 Tour of Austria
  • 1st Stage 3 Tour de Georgia

Professional Race Wins

Meersman (centre) on the podium after winning the 2015 Handzame Classic. Also pictured are Antoine Demoitié (left) and Tiesj Benoot (right).

• 2008
  • 1st Stage 4 Tour de Wallonie
  • 2nd Overall Étoile de Bessèges
• 2011
  • 1st Overall Circuit des Ardennes
    • He also won the points classification and Stage 2.
  • 2nd Road race, National Road Championships
• 2012
  • 1st Stage 4 Paris–Nice
  • 1st Stage 1 Volta ao Algarve
  • 3rd Clásica de San Sebastián
• 2013
  • Volta a Catalunya
    • 1st Stages 1 & 2
  • Tour de Romandie
    • 1st Stages 1 & 3
  • 1st Prologue Tour de l'Ain
  • 1st Points classification, Critérium du Dauphiné
• 2014
  • 1st Overall Tour de Wallonie
    • He also won the points classification and Stage 5.
  • 1st Trofeo Muro-Port d'Alcúdia
  • Tour de l'Ain
    • 1st Prologue & Stage 2
• 2015
  • 1st Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
  • 1st Handzame Classic
  • 1st Stage 1 Volta ao Algarve
• 2016
  • Vuelta a España
    • 1st Stages 2 & 5

Grand Tour Participation

Gianni Meersman competed in several Grand Tours, which are the biggest and most famous multi-stage cycling races. These include the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, and Vuelta a España.

• He participated in the Giro d'Italia in 2012 and 2015, but did not finish either race.
• In 2011, he finished the Tour de France in 77th place.
• He raced in the Vuelta a España in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2016. He finished the race in 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2016, where he also won two stages.

See also

In Spanish: Gianni Meersman para niños