Wladimiro Panizza (5 June 1945 – 21 June 2002) was an Italian professional road cyclist renowned for his endurance, climbing prowess, and unwavering dedication over an 18-year career from 1967 to 1985. Born in Fagnano Olona, Lombardy, into a Communist family, he was named after Vladimir Lenin. Panizza’s career is distinguished by his record-setting 18 participations in the Giro d’Italia, completing the race 16 times—a testament to his resilience and consistency .
Panizza began his professional journey with the Vittadello team in 1967 and subsequently rode for prominent squads like Salvarani, Brooklyn, Scic, Sanson, Gis Gelati, and Del Tongo. Throughout his career, he often served as a domestique, supporting legends such as Felice Gimondi and Franco Bitossi. Despite this role, Panizza achieved significant personal successes. His most notable Grand Tour performance came in the 1980 Giro d’Italia, where he secured a second-place finish, marking his best result in the race .
Panizza’s palmarès includes victories in prestigious races: he won the Milano-Torino in 1975, the Grand Prix du Midi Libre in 1977, and stages in both the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France. Notably, he clinched Stage 15 of the 1976 Tour de France and Stage 17 of the 1978 Giro d’Italia . His consistency also led to high placements in other Grand Tours, including a fourth-place finish in the 1974 Tour de France .
Beyond stage races, Panizza excelled in one-day classics. He achieved a second-place finish in the 1976 Milano-Sanremo, trailing only the legendary Eddy Merckx . Additionally, he secured podium positions in races like the Coppa Bernocchi and the Giro di Lombardia, showcasing his versatility across various race formats