Wladimiro Panizza, who was named after Vladimir Ilyich Lenin by his parents, was born on the 5th July 1945 in Fagnano Olona, Italy.
He was a professional rider between 1967 and 1985. Usually a domestique for Felice Gimondi and Franco Bitossi, he reaches the peak of his career at the Giro d’Italia in 1980, when he became 2nd behind Bernard Hinault. He also managed to win 2 stages (1975and 1978).
He holds the record for the most Giro d’Italia participation. He attended the race 18 times, finished 16 of them.
Panizza’s best result was a 4th place at the Tour de France (1974) and he won a stage in 1976. He had several podium places at one-day races, like his 2nd place at the Milano-Sanremo is 1976.
Wladimiro Panizza passed away on the 21st May in 2002.