Valerio Zamboni
{{short description|Italian ultra cyclist and businessman}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{notability|1=Biographies|date=March 2023}}
{{Undisclosed paid|date=May 2023}}
}}
{{Infobox cyclist
| name = Valerio Zamboni
| image = Valerio Zamboni New Jet.jpg
| image_size = 220px
| caption = Zamboni after 2011 Race Across America
| fullname = Valerio Zamboni
| nickname =
| birth_date = {{birth date text|11 March 1954}}
| birth_place = Anzola dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| currentteam = Zamboni
| discipline = Ultra-distance cycling
| role = Rider
| majorwins = 2 times RAAM age category winner (2016, 2018)
2 times Race Around Ireland winner (2011, 2017)
}}
Valerio Zamboni (born 1954) is an Italian ultra cyclist who is a six-time winner World Ultra-Cycling Association World Cup,{{Cite web |title=Ep 56: Valerio Zamboni - The Italian Legend Who Won't Retire (7x RAAM & Many More!) |url=https://ultracycling.show/episode/56 |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=ultracycling.show |language=en}} Ultramarathon World Champion,{{Cite web |last=oisinkelly |date=2019-06-24 |title=60 Year Old Joe Barr Triumphs at 3000 Mile Race Across America |url=https://highlandradio.com/2019/06/24/60-year-old-joe-barr-triumphs-at-3000-mile-race-across-america/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Valerie Zamboni, ULTRACYCLIST - Filmdocumentation by Groox Filmproduction |url=https://groox.com/en/portfolio/valerio-zamboni/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=groox |date=23 March 2017 |language=en-US}} and record holder in the Race Across America.{{Cite web |title=RAI 2017 Day 1 Update - Zamboni Leads the Way |url=https://www.cyclingireland.ie/news-item/rai-2017-day-1-update-zamboni-leads-the-way |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=Cycling Ireland |language=en}} He is also a pilot and founder of the business aircraft sales and acquisition company NewJet International.
Early life
Valerio Zamboni was born to Italian parents, Norina Balestri and Luciano Zamboni, in Emilia Romagna, Italy. He spent his formative years in Bologna, where he received his primary education. Zamboni pursued his education at the International High School of Languages. He became a glider pilot at a young age. After completing his studies at the Liceo Linguistico internazionale, Zamboni's passion for flying led him to pursue a career as a commercial pilot.{{Cite web |title=Interview with Valerio Zamboni: From Pilot to Ultracyclist – Cyprus Today |url=https://cyprus-today.online/interview-with-valerio-zamboni-from-pilot-to-ultracyclist/ |access-date=2023-05-06 |website=cyprus-today.online}}
At the age of 23, he relocated to Milan to embark on his first pilot job, starting his professional career in the aviation industry. He earned his commercial licenses and started his career as a co-pilot in 1978, flying the Falcon 10 and Falcon 20 for Milan-based charter operator VIP air.{{Cite web |title=Valerio Zamboni |url=https://www.spears500.com/adviser/6412/valerio-zamboni |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=www.spears500.com |language=en}}
After being a pilot for about 15 years, now Zamboni own a New Jet International company, which became the exclusive sales representative for Bombardier's Business jet line in some European countries.{{Cite web |title=Valerio Zamboni: "Je n'ai aucune limite" |url=https://www.pressreader.com/monaco/monaco-matin/20170913/281616715531537 |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=PressReader}}{{Cite web |last1=Reineri |first1=Alberto |last2=Gatti |first2=Omar |date=2018-06-04 |title=L'ultracycling secondo Valerio Zamboni |url=https://www.bikeitalia.it/2018/06/04/lultracycling-secondo-valerio-zamboni/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Bikeitalia.it |language=it-IT}}
Cycling career
Valerio Zamboni was a climbing enthusiast until a severe fall and pelvis reconstruction forced him to stop physical activity. After gaining some weight, Zamboni turned to cycling in 2006 for health reasons. He began practicing at a competition level after undergoing extensive physical and mental training. In 2010, Zamboni participated in his first race, the Sebring, marking the start of his competitive cycling career.{{Cite web |last=Fossati |first=Alberto |date=2019-03-07 |title=Sebring apre la stagione internazionale dell'ultracycling |url=https://www.4actionsport.it/sebring-apre-la-stagione-dellultracycling/ |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=4ActionSport |language=it-IT}}
{{MedalTableTop|name=no|sport= Ultra-distance cycling|country_code=MON|medals=
{{Medal|Competition|RAAM}}
{{Medal|Bronze|2011|Solo mens(50-59)}}
{{Medal|Bronze|2012|Solo mens(50-59)}}
{{Medal|Bronze|2014|Solo mens(60-69)}}
{{Medal|G|2016|Solo mens(60-69)}}
{{Medal|G|2018|Solo mens(60-69)}}
{{Medal|S|2019|Solo mens(60-69)}}
{{Medal|Competition|Race Around Ireland}}
{{Medal|G|2011|Solo mens}}
{{Medal|G|2017|Solo mens}}
}}
Valerio Zamboni's interest in cycling came relatively late in life, particularly in the field of ultracycling.{{Cite web |last=Robson |first=David |title=Human body: The 'ultra-athletes' aged 60+ |url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20141111-the-ultra-athletes-aged-60 |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Pegurri |first=Davide |date=2021-03-17 |title=ULTRACYCLING. L'AVVENTURA LIGURE DI ZAMBONI |url=https://www.inbici.net/rivista-ciclismo/ultracycling-lavventura-ligure-di-zamboni/ |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=Rivista per ciclisti, InBici Magazine, Passione sui Pedali |language=it-IT}} Nevertheless, he was able to achieve a world championship title, and numerous records showcasing his determination and commitment to the sport.{{Cite web |date=2022-01-16 |title=Valerio Zamboni: mi trovo sempre più soggetto alle allucinazioni |url=https://ultracyclingitalia.com/valerio-zamboni-mi-trovo-sempre-piu-soggetto-alle-allucinazioni/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Il portale dell'Ultracycling in Italia |language=it-IT}} At the age of 57, Valerio Zamboni achieved first the Ultramarathon World Champion title in 2011.{{Cite web |date=2012-09-07 |title=Well-known names in international field for 'Race Around Ireland' Sunday start |url=https://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/well-known-names-in-international-field-for-race-around-ireland-sunday-start/ |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=Sticky Bottle |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=World Cup Standings - Overall |url=https://ultracycling.com/world-cup-standings-overall/ |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=World UltraCycling Association |language=en-US}} His multiple Race around Ireland participations led to a 15-minute short film. Zamboni has set various age category records and received multiple awards, including the Indoor Track Record in Montichiari, Italy in 2017,{{Cite web |last=admin |title=Record Reports |url=https://ultracycling.com/record-reports/ |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=World UltraCycling Association |language=en-US}} and the Everesting record in France in 2016.{{Cite journal |title=Race Around Ireland Solo (Men and Women) and Tandem Records |url=https://racearoundireland.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Race_Around_Ireland_Solo_Tandem_Records_2019.pdf |journal=Race Around Ireland Solo |type=Table of Records}} He has participated in the Race Across America 11 times, and completed 7 races, receiving numerous accolades for his accomplishments.{{Cite web |title=RAAM |url=https://www.raceacrossamerica.org/raamx/racerdtl.php?N_Entry_ID=3917&tblagecat_tblbiketype_tblPage=1 |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=www.raceacrossamerica.org}} He has competed in 9 Races Around Italy and he is the only athlete who has always completed them and therefore has the most finisher's medals.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-30 |title=VALERIO ZAMBONI - Race Across Italy |url=https://raceacrossitaly.com/valerio-zamboni/?lang=en |access-date=2023-04-28 |language=en-US}}
World records
Personal life
Valerio Zamboni resides in Monaco with his wife, Alessandra Soncini, whom he married in March 2008.{{Cite web |last=Ferraris |first=Alberto |date=2022-06-01 |title=Race Across America 2022, 4.800 chilometri massacranti tra gli oceani: Giovanni Prosperi tra i quattro italiani |url=https://www.quicicloturismo.it/2022/06/01/race-across-america-2022-4-800-chilometri-massacranti-tra-gli-oceani-giovanni-prosperi-tra-i-quattro-italiani/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Cicloturismo |language=it-IT}}{{Cite web |last=rédaction |first=La |date=2019-09-06 |title=L'infatigable Valerio Zamboni écume les routes |url=https://www.monacomatin.mc/vie-locale/l-infatigable-valerio-zamboni-ecume-les-routes-410597 |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=Monaco-Matin |language=fr}}
References
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Zamboni, Valerio}}
Category:Italian male cyclists
Category:Ultra-distance cyclists