Valerio Zamboni

Valerio Zamboni

Zamboni after 2011 Race Across America
Personal information
Full name	Valerio Zamboni
Born	11 March 1954 (1954-03-11) Anzola dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
Team information
Current team	Zamboni
Discipline	Ultra-distance cycling
Role	Rider
Major wins
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, ^[1] Ultramarathon World Champion, ^{[2] [3]} and record holder in the Race Across America. ^[4] 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. ^[5]

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. ^[6]

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. ^{[7] [8]}

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. ^[9]

Medal record
Ultra-distance cycling
Representing   Monaco
RAAM
	2011	Solo mens(50-59)
	2012	Solo mens(50-59)
	2014	Solo mens(60-69)
	2016	Solo mens(60-69)
	2018	Solo mens(60-69)
	2019	Solo mens(60-69)
Race Around Ireland
	2011	Solo mens
	2017	Solo mens

Valerio Zamboni's interest in cycling came relatively late in life, particularly in the field of ultracycling. ^{[10] [11]} Nevertheless, he was able to achieve a world championship title, and numerous records showcasing his determination and commitment to the sport. ^[12] At the age of 57, Valerio Zamboni achieved first the Ultramarathon World Champion title in 2011. ^{[13] [14] [3]} His multiple Race around Ireland participations led to a 15-minute short film. ^[3] Zamboni has set various age category records and received multiple awards, including the Indoor Track Record in Montichiari, Italy in 2017, ^[15] and the Everesting record in France in 2016. ^[16] He has participated in the Race Across America 11 times, and completed 7 races, receiving numerous accolades for his accomplishments. ^[17] 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. ^[18]

Race results

Year	Event	Category	Position	Time
2011 [19]	Race Around Ireland	Solo Mens	1st	131 hrs 36 mins
2011 [20]	Race across America	Solo mens (50-59)	3rd	10 days 18 hours, 58 mins
2012 [21]	Race across America	Solo mens (50-59)	3rd	11 days 18 hours 1 mins
2014 [22]	Race across America	Solo mens (60-69)	3rd	12 days 20 hours 6 mins
2016 [23]	Race across America	Solo mens (60-69)	1st	12 days 14 hours 43 mins
2017 [24]	Race Around Ireland	Solo Mens	1st	125 hrs 45 mins
2018 [25]	Race across America	Solo mens (60-69)	1st	12 days 17 hours 28 mins
2019 [26]	Race across America	Solo mens (60-69)	2nd	12 days 12 hours 24 mins

World records

Valerio Zamboni Records officially certified by World UltraCycling Association

Record Type	Details	Category	Bike Type	Age	Age Group	Start date
Capital to Capital	Monte Carlo, Monaco - Andorra [27]	Solo	Standard	61	Men 60-69	2015-10-09
Capital to Capital	Monte Carlo, Monaco - San Marino [28]	Solo	Standard	60	Men 60-69	2014-03-08
Cross Country	Italy E-W [29]	Solo	Standard	59	Men 50-59	2013-03-09
Cross Country	Italy W-E [30]	Solo	Standard	58	Men 50-59	2012-03-10
Cross State	Florida E-W [31]	Solo	Standard	60	Men 60-69	2014-01-18
Cross State	Florida W-E [32]	Solo	Standard	58	Men 50-59	2012-01-14
Distance	100 Mile Indoor Velodrome [33]	Solo	Standard	63	Men 60-69	2017-03-18
Distance	200 Mile Indoor Velodrome [34]	Solo	Standard	63	Men 60-69	2017-03-18
Distance	1000 km Indoor Velodrome [35]	Solo	Standard	63	Men 60-69	2017-03-18
Timed	6 Hour Indoor Velodrome [36]	Solo	Standard	63	Men 60-69	2017-03-18
Timed	12 Hour Indoor Velodrome [37]	Solo	Standard	63	Men 60-69	2017-03-18
Timed	24 Hour Indoor Velodrome [38]	Solo	Standard	63	Men 60-69	2017-03-18

Personal life

Valerio Zamboni resides in Monaco with his wife, Alessandra Soncini, whom he married in March 2008. ^{[5] [39] [40]}

References

1. "Ep 56: Valerio Zamboni - The Italian Legend Who Won't Retire (7x RAAM & Many More!)". ultracycling.show. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
2. oisinkelly (2019-06-24). "60 Year Old Joe Barr Triumphs at 3000 Mile Race Across America". Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
3. "Valerie Zamboni, ULTRACYCLIST - Filmdocumentation by Groox Filmproduction". groox. 23 March 2017. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
4. "RAI 2017 Day 1 Update - Zamboni Leads the Way". Cycling Ireland. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
5. "Interview with Valerio Zamboni: From Pilot to Ultracyclist – Cyprus Today". cyprus-today.online. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
6. "Valerio Zamboni". www.spears500.com. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
7. "Valerio Zamboni: "Je n'ai aucune limite"". PressReader. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
8. Reineri, Alberto; Gatti, Omar (2018-06-04). "L'ultracycling secondo Valerio Zamboni". Bikeitalia.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2023-04-27.
9. Fossati, Alberto (2019-03-07). "Sebring apre la stagione internazionale dell'ultracycling". 4ActionSport (in Italian). Retrieved 2023-04-28.
10. Robson, David. "Human body: The 'ultra-athletes' aged 60+". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
11. Pegurri, Davide (2021-03-17). "ULTRACYCLING. L'AVVENTURA LIGURE DI ZAMBONI". Rivista per ciclisti, InBici Magazine, Passione sui Pedali (in Italian). Retrieved 2023-04-28.
12. "Valerio Zamboni: mi trovo sempre più soggetto alle allucinazioni". Il portale dell'Ultracycling in Italia (in Italian). 2022-01-16. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
13. "Well-known names in international field for 'Race Around Ireland' Sunday start". Sticky Bottle. 2012-09-07. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
14. "World Cup Standings - Overall". World UltraCycling Association. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
15. admin. "Record Reports". World UltraCycling Association. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
16. "Race Around Ireland Solo (Men and Women) and Tandem Records" (PDF). Race Around Ireland Solo (Table of Records).
17. "RAAM". www.raceacrossamerica.org. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
18. "VALERIO ZAMBONI - Race Across Italy". 2021-11-30. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
19. "Final Times for the 2011 Race Around Ireland" (PDF). Race Around Ireland . Retrieved 2023-04-28.
20. Tooke, Dex (2012-03-23). Unfinished Business: The Inspirational Story of True Grit and Determination as Dex Tooke and His Crew Attempt to Conquer the Race Across America. AuthorHouse. ISBN   978-1-4685-5910-1.
21. "Race Leaderboard 2012". Race Across America . Retrieved 2023-04-28.
22. "Race Leaderboard 2014". raceacrossamerica.org. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
23. "Race Leaderboard 2016". raceacrossamerica.org. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
24. "RACE AROUND IRELAND 2017 RESULTS (Distance - 2,212km)" (PDF). Race Around Ireland .
25. "Race Leaderboard 2018". raceacrossamerica.org. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
26. "Race Leaderboard 2019". raceacrossamerica.org. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
27. "Monte - Carlo - Monaco - Andorra - Valerio - Zamboni". World UltraCycling Association. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
28. "Monte - Carlo - Monaco - San - Marino - Valerio - Zamboni". World UltraCycling Association. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
29. "ITALY - E - W - Valerio - Zamboni". World UltraCycling Association. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
30. "ITALY - W - E - Valerio - Zamboni". World UltraCycling Association. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
31. "FLORIDA - E - W - Valerio - Zamboni". World UltraCycling Association. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
32. "FLORIDA - W - E - Valerio - Zamboni". World UltraCycling Association. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
33. "Zamboni Sets Six New Records - 100 Mile Indoor Track". World UltraCycling Association. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
34. "Zamboni Sets Six New Records - 200 Mile Indoor Track". World UltraCycling Association. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
35. "Zamboni Sets Six New Records - 1000km Indoor Track". World UltraCycling Association. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
36. "Zamboni Sets Six New Records - 6 Hour Indoor Track". World UltraCycling Association. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
37. "Zamboni Sets Six New Records - 12 Hour Indoor Track". World UltraCycling Association. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
38. "Zamboni Sets Six New Records - 24 Hour Indoor Track". World UltraCycling Association. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
39. Ferraris, Alberto (2022-06-01). "Race Across America 2022, 4.800 chilometri massacranti tra gli oceani: Giovanni Prosperi tra i quattro italiani". Cicloturismo (in Italian). Retrieved 2023-04-27.
40. rédaction, La (2019-09-06). "L'infatigable Valerio Zamboni écume les routes". Monaco-Matin (in French). Retrieved 2023-04-28.