The 2006 Giro d’Italia was the 89th edition of the prestigious Italian cycling race, commonly known as the Giro. It took place from May 6 to May 28, 2006. The race consisted of 21 stages covering a total distance of around 3,526 kilometers (approximately 2,190 miles).
Winner: The overall winner of the 2006 Giro d’Italia was Ivan Basso, an Italian cyclist riding for Team CSC. Basso secured the victory with a dominant performance, winning two individual stages and wearing the leader’s pink jersey for a significant portion of the race.
Contenders: The race featured several prominent contenders, including Gilberto Simoni, Damiano Cunego, José Enrique Gutiérrez, and Paolo Savoldelli.
Team CSC: Ivan Basso’s triumph in the 2006 Giro d’Italia was also a significant achievement for Team CSC, the Danish cycling team he rode for at the time. The team’s collective effort and support were instrumental in Basso’s success.
Doping case: Jan Ullrich initially won Stage 11 but later disqualified due to doping.
Overall, the 2006 Giro d’Italia was a memorable edition of the race, showcasing the talent and determination of Ivan Basso and highlighting the challenges and drama that often accompany professional cycling competitions.
Jersey Winners – 2006 Giro d’Italia
General Classification (Pink Jersey): The winner of the general classification, wearing the pink jersey, was Ivan Basso of Italy riding for Team CSC.
Points Classification (Cyclamen Jersey): The points classification winner, wearing the cyclamen jersey, was Paolo Bettini of Italy riding for Quick-Step–Innergetic.
King of the Mountains Classification (Green Jersey): The king of the mountains classification winner, wearing the green jersey, was Juan Manuel Gárate of Spain riding for Quick-Step–Innergetic.
Overall Ranking – 2006 Giro d’Italia
Here are the TOP 10 RIDERS in the general classification of the 2006 Giro d’Italia:
- Ivan Basso (Italy) – Team CSC
- José Enrique Gutiérrez (Spain) – Phonak
- Gilberto Simoni (Italy) – Saunier Duval–Prodir
- Damiano Cunego (Italy) – Lampre–Fondital
- Paolo Savoldelli (Italy) – Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team
- Sandy Casar (France) – Française des Jeux
- Juan Manuel Gárate (Spain) – Quick-Step–Innergetic
- Franco Pellizotti (Italy) – Liquigas–Bianchi
- Víctor Hugo Peña (Colombia) – Phonak
- Patxi Vila (Spain) – Lampre–Fondital
These riders achieved notable performances throughout the race and secured their places in the top 10 of the general classification at the end of the 2006 Giro d’Italia.
Click here to remember who the winners of the 2007 Giro d’Italia were.