Visentini was a highly touted junior, winning the World Amateur Time Trial Championship in 1975 and the Italian amateur road title in 1976. He turned professional in 1978 and quickly showed promise as a climber and time trialist, earning comparisons to some of Italy’s greatest stage racers.
By the early 1980s, Visentini was consistently finishing high in stage races. He rode for several teams before joining Carrera in 1984, where he found the right environment to flourish. His performances in the Giro d’Italia began to improve steadily, he gained two podium places back to back (2nd place in 1982, 3rd in 1983)
He also won several smaller stage races like the Giro del Trentino and Tirreno–Adriatico, proving he could lead and deliver.
Visentini reached the pinnacle of his career in 1986, when he won the Giro d’Italia after a tactically controlled and consistent ride.
Backed by a strong Carrera team, he defeated American Greg LeMond and fellow Italians, solidifying his status as Italy’s new Grand Tour hope.
His style was elegant and precise. He wasn’t the most aggressive rider, but he had excellent time-trial ability and raced with patience.
Visentini entered Giro d’Italia 1987 as defending champion and co-leader of Carrera alongside Stephen Roche. Tensions simmered as both riders vied for control. Visentini took the pink jersey after the mountain time trial, but Roche attacked him on a descent in Stage 15, catching the team and Visentini off guard.
The “betrayal”, as it was seen by the Italians, sparked outrage. Visentini cracked under the pressure, both physically and emotionally, abandoned the race, and never returned to that level again. The Roche incident cast a long shadow over his career.
After 1987, Visentini struggled with form, confidence, and consistency. While he remained with Carrera until 1989, he never again came close to a major victory. He retired in 1990, still respected as a Giro winner, but with his legacy marked by the infamous leadership battle with Roche.