Ivan Gotti

Source: it.wikipedia.org  (translated from the original Italian)

Biography

Ivan Gotti (born in San Pellegrino Terme on March 28, 1969) is a retired Italian road cyclist. A professional from 1991 to 2002, he was a pure climber and won two editions of the Giro d’Italia (1997 and 1999). He also wore the yellow jersey for a few days at the Tour de France. His climbing record on the Mortirolo Pass—42 minutes and 40 seconds—remains unbeaten to this day.

He lives in San Pellegrino Terme and has an older brother, Ugo, and a sister, Nicoletta. He married Francesca in November 1996.

Career

1988-1991: Early Career and Turning Professional

When Gotti’s father, Giovanni, and his uncle gave him a bicycle, they also gave an identical one to his brother. Ivan, small and lean, challenged his brother to a race on the Frasnadello climb. Ivan won, and Ugo decided to pursue soccer instead.

His cycling career began at 12 years old with the Paladina Maffioletti team in Bergamo. At 18, he abandoned running and soccer to focus on cycling. Training between San Pellegrino Terme and Bergamo, he met established cyclists like Claudio Corti and Ennio Vanotti.

After four years in the junior ranks, he won his first race on Monte Penice in the province of Pavia. Among the juniors, he won the Giro dell’Isola, distancing top competitors, including Czechoslovakian riders, on the Roncola climb. As an amateur with the Remac team, he quickly made a name for himself as a strong climber.

In 1989, he won the overall classification at the Giro della Valle d’Aosta, a prestigious amateur stage race. By 1990, he was among Italy’s top climbing prospects, finishing second in the Girobio behind Wladimir Belli but ahead of Marco Pantani, winning the Pordoi stage. He also placed second at Capodarco, again behind Belli, and secured another Giro della Valle d’Aosta victory. As an amateur, he won 27 races.

In 1991, Gotti turned professional with Gatorade-Chateau d’Ax, where his sports director, Stanga, planned for him to support Gianni Bugno at the Giro d’Italia. However, Gotti withdrew from the race and struggled with health and adaptation issues that season. He eventually found form after July, securing notable finishes in Camaiore, the Trofeo Matteotti, the Vuelta a Burgos, and the Trofeo dello Scalatore. He placed second at the Giro dell’Emilia (behind Cassani) and the Coppa Placci (behind Dufaux), but his sprinting ability remained a weakness.

1992-1995: Giro d’Italia and Tour de France Breakthrough

In 1992, Gotti finished his first Giro d’Italia in 23rd place, coming second in the young rider classification behind future rival Pavel Tonkov. His season ended with several strong finishes, including third place at the Klasika Urkiola and the Trofeo dello Scalatore.

In 1993, despite good performances, he missed out on the Grand Tours. In 1994, now with Team Polti, he finished 16th in the Giro d’Italia. During the Aprica stage, he was ordered to support team leader Bugno, who was chasing Pantani and Indurain.

In 1995, Gotti joined Gewiss-Ballan, improving his time-trialing and climbing. After missing the Giro d’Italia due to illness, he focused on the Tour de France.

At the 1995 Tour, Gewiss won the team time trial, and Gotti took the yellow jersey after Laurent Jalabert crashed. He held it for two days before teammate Bjarne Riis claimed it. He impressed on the Alpe d’Huez, staying with Pantani until a last-kilometer crash. Despite this setback, he finished fifth overall. He was later selected for the 1995 World Championships in Colombia but did not finish the race.

1996-1999: Two Giro d’Italia Victories

In 1996, Gotti targeted the Tour de France, as teammate Evgeni Berzin was leading Gewiss at the Giro d’Italia. While supporting Berzin, Gotti showed superior climbing form and attempted a 90-km solo break on the Vars climb. He won the Mortirolo stage with an unbeaten record time, securing fifth overall. However, the effort cost him at the Tour, where a knee injury forced him to withdraw.

In 1997, Gotti joined Saeco as a team leader for stage races. After a mixed spring season, he entered the Giro d’Italia as an underdog. In the 14th stage, he attacked on the rain-soaked Saint Pantaleon climb, gaining 1’46” on Tonkov and taking the pink jersey. He held the lead through the Cavalese time trial and arrived in Milan as the overall winner, claiming his first Giro victory.

In 1999, Gotti won his second Giro d’Italia under controversial circumstances. Marco Pantani was dominating the race but was disqualified for high hematocrit levels two stages before the finish. Gotti capitalized on this, attacking on the Mortirolo alongside Roberto Heras and Gilberto Simoni. He distanced rival Paolo Savoldelli in the Aprica stage and secured his second Giro victory.

2000-2002: Decline and Retirement

After his second Giro win, Gotti struggled to replicate his past success. He was also accused of doping. During the 2001 Giro d’Italia, the Italian police (Guardia di Finanza) raided a camper belonging to his father-in-law, discovering a stash of banned substances, some without labels. In 2003, Gotti was sentenced to five months in prison (later reduced to a fine of 200 euros) after plea bargaining. His father-in-law, Arcangelo Gamba, also accepted a plea deal.

At the end of the 2002 season, Gotti retired from professional cycling. He returned to his hometown of San Pellegrino Terme and began working as a sales representative in the food industry.