January 13/03 11:47 am - Tribute to Denis Zanette

Posted by Editor on 01/13/03
 

Tribute to Denis Zanette

It is with tremendous regret that I inform you about the untimely death, on Jan. 10 2003, of road professional Denis Zanette of Pordenone, Italy at the age of 32. He leaves behind his wife Manuela, and two daughters Anna and Paola.

Although not a Canadian by nationality, Denis's parents lived in the Toronto area for some time, and Denis has two older siblings that were born in Canada. Denis has many immediate relatives living in Mississauga (Malton), Toronto, and surrounding areas.

For those fans of the sport unfamiliar with his palmares, Denis rode professionally for the following teams: Fassa Bortolo (2002), Liquigas Pata (2001-2000), Polti (1999), Vini Caldirola (1998), and AKI (1997-1995). Three of his most prominent accomplishments include victories in two stages of the Giro d'Italia in 1995 at Santuario di Vicoforte, and in 2001 at Ljubljana, Slovenia, and 3rd place in the 2001 Tour of Flanders World Cup classic. He has also finished in the top 20 in the Paris-Roubaix World Cup classic. He was ranked in the UCI Top 100 in June/July 2001 because of his Giro and Flanders successes - as well as victory in the points competition of the Catalan Week race - in the spring of that year. He was a strong domestique, completing many 3 week long 'Grand' Tours for his teams, including the 2002 Giro d'Italia and Vuelta Espana.

Those who know me from the 'Donut Ride' will know that it was an ongoing dream and ambition of mine to be able to get to North-Eastern Italy to ride with Denis, and to see him perform in competition. Sadly, those dreams will never be realized.

Sincerely,

Gordon Duck