Born in Turin, he won 58 races as a professional, including the 1966 Züri-Metzgete.

He also totaled 5 stage wins at the Giro d'Italia; however, he never won the major tour of his country.

During the 1970 Tour de France he won stage 2 and took over the Yellow jersey, which caused a minor controversy as it angered his teammate Eddy Merckx, who was anticipated to wear the jersey for the majority of the race and repeat as champion.

[1] Zilioli held the jersey for three stages before relinquishing it to Merckx.

Zilioli lives in the province of Cuneo (Piedmont) and is responsible for the stage starts for Giro d'Italia.