Raffaele Riva
Raffaele Riva is a famous Italian sportsman who has also made a name for himself with his success in cycling. He is one of the best cyclists in the world and is known for his stunning victories. In 2012 he won Gold at the Olympics and multiple other races that same year. He’s even been cited in the Guinness World Records book!
Riva was born on October 27th, 1975, in Italy’s beloved cycling heartland of Milan, and turned professional just before turning 19 when he joined Gianni Savio’s team Marco Pantani.
Raffaele Riva’s career highlights include the 2012 Olympic Gold Medal (Cannondale-Drapac), 18th place at the Tour de France (Giant-Alpecin), and winner of the Italian National Road Race Championship in 2000. He’s also won multiple other Italian National Road Race Championships and there are several other more minor achievements on his record. Raffaele Riva was also selected for the Italian Olympic Team in 1996 and 2000.
In 1998, Riva moved to France with his teammate Stefano Garzelli for a two-year contract with the Kelme team but returned to Marco Pantani’s outfit for 2001. He returned to Kelme in 2002, a year before their collapse – however, he stayed with Gianni Savio’s team when Savio became the Italian national team manager. He took the Italian National Road Race Champion in 2004, 2005, and 2006.
He currently races for Team Europcar, and his salary is estimated at €1.8m a year (at least by Cycling World). In 2009, Riva signed an endorsement contract with the company Hövsgángare which produces high-performance cycling clothing, shoes and accessories.
In 2014 he was appointed Under-23 sports director for the Italian national cycling team.
Riva’s career has been littered with injuries, but he has never retired. He currently resides in Vigevano, Italy with his wife, Daniela and his two children, Andrea and Pia. Riva is a devout Catholic and has worked as a youth counselor for young men who have been struggling to find work in Milan. Raffaele Riva also works as a TV commentator and a brand ambassador for Cannondale, an Italy-based company. Refer to this article for more information.
More about Riva on https://www.crunchbase.com/person/gino-pozzo