Davide Cassani

Davide Cassani (born 1 January 1961) is a former road cyclist and cycling commentator on Italian television from Italy. He was the manager for the Italy national cycling team.

He was born in Faenza. In 1982, he made his professional debut with Termolan–Galli. In 1986, he moved to Carrera, where he supported figures such as Claudio Chiappucci, Roberto Visentini and Stephen Roche; Cassani later raced for Gewiss–Bianchi, Ariostea, GB-MG and Saeco. He retired in 1996 after being hit by a motorist while in training.

Media work

After retiring from cycling, he became a commentator at Italian public broadcaster RAI.

In 2007, he was involved in the withdrawal of Michael Rasmussen from the Tour de France. Cassani claimed to have seen Rasmussen in the Dolomites mountains in Italy, while Rasmussen and Rasmussen's in-laws claimed that he was in Mexico at that time. His comment, coupled with other issues concerning Rasmussen, led to his expulsion from the Rabobank team. The claim was first made a week or so before the controversy exploded — as a routine comment during the Rai Tre afternoon coverage of the Tour. It took the form of a compliment to the athletic dedication of Rasmussen, who has apparently been returning from eight hours of mountain training, so Cassani appears to have had no axe to grind against Rasmussen.

Cassani has also collaborated with Ivan Zazzaroni and Pier Bergonzi to write a biography of Marco Pantani, Pantani. Un eroe tragico (Pantani, a tragic hero).