Mattia Gavazzi - Biography

Biography

Mattia Gavazzi's father, Pierino Gavazzi, was also a professional rider.

He won a stage at the 2004 Baby Giro, the version of the Giro D'Italia for young amateur riders. He turned professional in 2006 for the LPR team, but joined the team Amore e Vita midway through the season. Following several good performances, he was signed by Kio Ene for the following year. He secured six victories with them in 2007, including three at the Tour of Normandy, showing his talent as a sprinter.

In 2008 he remained with the same team, who became known as Preti Mangimi. In February he achieved a second place in a stage of the Tour de la Province de Grosseto, behind Danilo Napolitano and in front of Filippo Pozzato. The following month he was again second at the Semaine Internationale Coppi et Bartali, beaten by Francesco Chicchi. In April, he won a stage of the Semaine cycliste lombarde, and in May the Tour of Tuscany, beating Chicchi.

2009 saw him sign for Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli with immediate success. He won a stage at the Tour de San Luis and dominated at the Tour de Langkawi, winning four stages and the Points classification.

In 2010 he switched to Colnago-CSF Inox and scored his first victory of the year at a Settimana Ciclistica Lombarda stage in early April. However, a urine sample taken two days previously tested positive for the presence of cocaine, and this triggered a suspension by the sport's governing body. He had previously tested positive for cocaine, and received a 14 month suspension, as an amateur in 2004.

Gavazzi made his return at the 2013 Tour de San Luis, where he won the last stage by out sprinting Slovak Peter Sagan (Cannondale). In April, he won the Giro di Toscana, a hilly race where he edged Ivan Rovny and Taylor Phinney in the sprint.