Vincenzo Nibali facts for kids

Vincenzo Nibali (born November 14, 1984) is a famous Italian former professional road bicycle racer. He competed as a professional from 2005 until 2022. He is one of only seven cyclists in history to win all three of cycling's biggest races, known as Grand Tours. These include the 2010 Vuelta a España, the 2013 and 2016 Giro d'Italias, and the 2014 Tour de France.

Born near the Strait of Messina in Italy, Nibali is often called the "Shark of Messina" or simply "the Shark." His first big win was in 2006 at the GP Ouest–France. Experts say he was best at multi-stage races, which are races that last several days. He was known for being great at riding downhill, handling his bike, climbing hills, and doing well in time trials. Nibali was an all-rounder, meaning he was good at many different types of cycling. He is considered one of the best stage race riders of his time.

Besides his Grand Tour wins, Nibali also won other important races. He won the Italian National Road Race Championships in 2014 and 2015. He also won three of cycling's most important one-day races, called 'Monuments': the Giro di Lombardia in 2015 and 2017, and the 2018 Milan–San Remo.

Early Life and First Races

Vincenzo Nibali was born on November 14, 1984, in Messina, a city in Sicily, Italy. When he was sixteen, he moved to Tuscany to become a cyclist. He lived with his coach, Carlo Franceschi, for ten months a year. Nibali showed early talent, finishing third in the UCI World Junior Time Trial Championships in 2002. He also placed third in the UCI World Under-23 Time Trial Championships in 2004.

Becoming a Professional Cyclist

Starting with Liquigas (2006–2012)

Nibali became a professional cyclist in 2005. In 2006, he joined the Liquigas team. That year, at just 21 years old, he won the French race GP Ouest–France. He also finished second overall in the Settimana Internazionale di Coppi e Bartali. In 2007, Nibali rode in the Giro d'Italia for the first time, finishing 19th. By 2008, he was placing in the top 10 in big races like Liège–Bastogne–Liège.

Big Steps in 2009

In 2009, Nibali won the Giro dell'Appennino and the Gran Premio Città di Camaiore. He also finished sixth overall in the Tour of California. Later, he rode in the Tour de France and finished seventh overall. This was his best result in a Grand Tour at that time.

Nibali finished sixth overall in the 2009 Tour de France.

First Grand Tour Victory in 2010

Nibali started 2010 strong, winning the Tour de San Luis. He was a last-minute addition to his team for the Giro d'Italia. His team won a stage, and he wore the leader's pink jersey for a few days. He also won a stage himself and finished third overall. Later that year, Nibali won the Vuelta a España, which was his first Grand Tour victory. He won by being consistently strong, even without winning a stage.

Nibali wearing the leader's jersey at the 2010 Vuelta a España. He won the race overall, his first Grand Tour victory.

Strong Performances in 2011 and 2012

In 2011, Nibali continued to show his strength. He finished second overall in the Giro d'Italia. He also placed well in other major races like Milan–Sanremo and Liège–Bastogne–Liège.

The year 2012 was also successful. Nibali won the Tirreno–Adriatico race. He also achieved his first podium finish in a 'Monument' race, coming third in Milan–Sanremo. He then focused on the Tour de France, where he finished an impressive third overall.

Nibali at the 2012 Tour de France.

Joining Astana (2013–2016)

At the end of 2012, Nibali moved to the Astana team.

Winning the Giro in 2013

Nibali had a great start to 2013, winning the Tirreno–Adriatico and the Giro del Trentino. He then entered the Giro d'Italia as one of the top favorites. He took the leader's pink jersey (maglia rosa) on stage eight. Despite bad weather, including snow, Nibali extended his lead. He won two mountain stages and the mountain time trial. He won the Giro by a large margin, marking his second Grand Tour victory.

Nibali wearing the leader's pink jersey on the final stage of the 2013 Giro d'Italia.

Tour de France Champion in 2014

After winning the Giro, Nibali set his sights on the Tour de France for 2014. Before the Tour, he won the Italian National Championship.

He then went on to win the Tour de France. He took the leader's yellow jersey early on stage two. On stage five, which had tough cobblestone sections, he gained a lot of time on his rivals. He regained the yellow jersey on stage ten and kept it for the rest of the race. He won four stages in total, showing his strength in the mountains. Nibali won the Tour de France by a huge margin of 7 minutes and 52 seconds, the biggest win in 17 years.

Nibali wearing the yellow jersey at the 2014 Tour de France.

Defending Titles in 2015

In 2015, Nibali aimed to defend his Tour de France title. He became the Italian National Champion for the second year in a row. In the Tour de France, he faced tough competition and lost time early on. However, he showed his fighting spirit in the Alps, winning stage 19 with a long solo attack. He finished fourth overall in the Tour.

Later in 2015, he won his first 'Monument' race, the Giro di Lombardia, by attacking on a downhill section and riding solo to the finish.

Nibali finished fourth in the 2015 Tour de France as defending champion (pictured attacking with Nairo Quintana during the 14th stage).

Second Giro Victory in 2016

Nibali's main goal for 2016 was the Giro d'Italia. He also won the Tour of Oman earlier in the year.

In the Giro, Nibali faced challenges and lost time in some stages. However, in the final mountain stages, he made an incredible comeback. On stage 19, he attacked on a tough downhill section and then climbed strongly to win the stage. This moved him closer to the leader. On the very next stage, he attacked again on the final climb, gaining enough time to take the pink jersey. He won his second Giro d'Italia, showing amazing determination.

Nibali won his second Giro d'Italia in 2016 ahead of Esteban Chaves and Alejandro Valverde (pictured during the 18th stage of the Giro to Pinerolo).

Moving to Bahrain–Merida (2017–2019)

In 2017, Nibali joined the new Bahrain–Merida team.

Continued Success in 2017

In 2017, Nibali continued to perform at a high level. He finished on the podium in both the Giro d'Italia (third place) and the Vuelta a España (second place), winning a stage in the Vuelta. In October, he won his second Giro di Lombardia, again with a strong attack on a downhill section.

Nibali (right) at the 2017 Giro d'Italia.

Winning Milan–San Remo in 2018

In March 2018, Nibali won Milan–San Remo, his third 'Monument' victory. He attacked on the famous Poggio climb and managed to stay ahead of the fast sprinters to win. This made him the first Italian to win this race since 2006. Later that year, he had to leave the Tour de France after a crash.

Nibali celebrating victory in the 2018 Milan–San Remo.

Final Years and Retirement

In 2019, Nibali finished second overall in the Giro d'Italia. He also won a stage in the Tour de France, attacking solo near the end of a mountain stage.

Nibali at the 2019 Tour de France.

He then rode for the Trek–Segafredo team from 2020 to 2021, winning the Giro di Sicilia in his home region. In 2022, he rejoined the Astana team. After completing stage five of the Giro d'Italia in his hometown of Messina, Nibali announced he would retire at the end of the season. He finished the 2022 Giro in fourth place overall.

After retiring from racing, Nibali became a technical advisor for a cycling team starting in 2023.

Personal Life

Vincenzo Nibali moved to Lugano, Switzerland, in 2012. He married Rachele Perinelli in October 2012, and they have a daughter, born in 2014. Vincenzo's younger brother, Antonio Nibali, is also a professional cyclist. Antonio rode on the same teams as Vincenzo for several years.

Career Achievements

Major Results

Grand Tour Results

Grand Tour general classification results
Grand Tour	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
Giro d'Italia	—	—	19	11	—	3	2	—	1	—	—	1	3	—	2	7	18	4
Tour de France	—	—	—	20	6	—	—	3	—	1	4	30	—	DNF	39	—	DNF	—
/ Vuelta a España	—	—	—	—	—	1	7	—	2	—	DSQ	—	2	59	—	—	—	45

Monument Race Results

Awards

Nibali won the Giglio d'Oro [it] award six times. This award is given to the best Italian professional cyclist of the year. He received it in 2010, then every year from 2012 to 2015, and again in 2017.

See also

In Spanish: Vincenzo Nibali para niños