Damiano Cunego
The 'Little Prince' of Italian cycling who exploded onto the scene with a stunning Giro d'Italia victory at just 22.
Born 1981 (age 45)·Italian road bicycle racer·Birthday: September 19·Millennials
Biography
Damiano Cunego’s career was a story of meteoric ascent and enduring grit. In 2004, the slight climber from Verona, nicknamed 'Il Piccolo Principe' (The Little Prince), shocked the cycling world by winning the Giro d'Italia, one of the sport's grandest races. He wasn't just a winner; he was a charismatic, attacking rider who captured Italy's imagination. While the coveted Tour de France overall victory ultimately eluded him, Cunego reinvented himself as a formidable one-day classics specialist, claiming the prestigious Giro di Lombardia three times. His career, spanning 17 years with teams like Saeco and Lampre, showcased a rider of immense talent who adapted his style to remain a threat long after his early grand tour glory.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Damiano was born in 1981, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Damiano Was Born
The biggest hits of 1981
#1 Movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Damiano's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1981Born
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Started school
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1994Became a teenager
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Could drive
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
1999Could vote
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Turned 21
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2011Turned 30
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 40
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 45 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Giro d'Italia general classification in 2004 at the age of 22.
- Secured three victories in the monument classic Giro di Lombardia (2004, 2007, 2008).
- Earned the mountains classification jersey in the 2006 Giro d'Italia.
- Achieved multiple stage wins in both the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España over his career.
Did You Know?
His nickname, 'Il Piccolo Principe' (The Little Prince), was given to him by Italian journalist Bruno Raschi.
He won the white jersey as best young rider in the 2006 Tour de France.
He was a four-time Italian national road race champion.
He started his professional career with the Saeco team, which was led by Mario Cipollini.
“The mountains are where I write my story.”
