Franco Pellizotti

Franco Pellizotti (born January 15, 1978 in Latisana, Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia) is an Italian professional road bicycle racer, currently suspended from the sport.

Pellizotti is known as a climbing specialist and won Stage 10 in the 2006 Giro d'Italia, Stage 16 in the 2008 Giro d'Italia and Stage 17 in the 2009 Giro d'Italia. After finishing third overall in the 2009 Giro, he won the polka dot jersey in Paris as the best climber of the 2009 Tour de France, as well as named the Most Combative (Aggressive) Rider on Stages 9 and 17. At the start of each race, Pellizotti can be seen making the sign of the cross and kissing a crucifix around his neck.

On May 3, 2010, Pellizotti's name was released by La Gazzetta dello Sport as being one of several riders under investigation by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) for "irregular blood values". Pellizotti was reported to have had "suspicious values" on the eve of the 2009 Tour de France and request has been made by the UCI for investigation. He was due to be one of ' team leaders at the 2010 Giro d'Italia, but was immediately pulled from the squad and replaced with Vincenzo Nibali. His team said they have faith in the explanation put forward by Pellizotti and are conducting a further investigation. Shortly after the end of the season, the suspension was lifted on the grounds of lack...
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