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Belgian road bicycle racer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gianni Meersman (born 5 December 1985) is a Belgian former professional track and road bicycle racer, who rode professionally between 2007 and 2016 for the Discovery Channel, FDJ, Lotto–Belisol and Etixx–Quick-Step teams. He currently works as a directeur sportif for the Pauwels Sauzen–Bingoal team.
Personal information | |
---|---|
Full name | Gianni Meersman |
Nickname | Merrie[1] |
Born | Meulebeke, West Flanders, Belgium | 5 December 1985
Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)[1] |
Weight | 63 kg (139 lb)[1] |
Team information | |
Current team | Pauwels Sauzen–Bingoal |
Disciplines |
|
Role |
|
Rider type | Attacker[1] Stage hunter[1] |
Professional teams | |
2007 | Discovery Channel |
2008–2011 | Française des Jeux |
2012 | Lotto–Belisol[2] |
2013–2016 | Omega Pharma–Quick-Step[3] |
Managerial team | |
2017– | Marlux–Napoleon Games (directeur sportif) |
Major wins | |
Grand Tours
|
After stage 3 of the 2007 Tour de Georgia, Meersman was forced to abandon the race due to a severe case of patella tendinitis. He treated the riders of the Grand Peloton, a charity fundraiser ride, to his presence as the Peloton Captain of the "Blue Peloton". Meersman finally came to Grand Tour prominence, after 10 years as a professional racer, at the 2016 Vuelta a España winning two stages in bunch sprints. During the race, Fortuneo–Vital Concept announced that Meersman had agreed a one-year contract with the team for 2017.[4] However, a diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmia and scar tissue on his heart forced Meersman to announce his retirement on 30 December 2016.[5] On 11 October 2017, Meersman was confirmed as the new sporting director for cyclo-cross team Marlux–Napoleon Games.[6]
Grand Tour | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Giro d'Italia | — | — | — | — | DNF | — | — | DNF | — |
Tour de France | — | — | — | 77 | — | — | — | — | — |
Vuelta a España | DNF | — | 98 | — | 57 | 58 | — | — | 111 |
— | Did not compete |
---|---|
DNF | Did not finish |
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