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GIRO D’ITALIA STORIES

Eddy Merckx first stage victory 1967 Blockhaus7

Eddy Merckx on Blockhaus (Giro d’Italia 1967)

Every road cycling legend, every great champion has that first epic moment that defines their career. The moment that takes everyone by surprise, yet deep … Read more

Famous black and withe image of Italian cyclist Fiorenzo Magni, holding an inner tube between his teeth during the Giro d'Italia in 1956

Fiorenzo Magni and the Giro d’Italia 1956

You might have always wondered what is that strange picture of Fiorenzo Magni holding something between his teeth with an heroic effort displayed on his … Read more

Italian cyclist Luigi Malabrocca wearing the so-called maglia nera jersey awarded to the last rider of the general classification, at the Giro d'Italia 1947.

The story of the Maglia Nera (Giro d’Italia 1946-1951)

Between 1946 and 1951 a special jersey was awarded to the last cyclist in the general classification of the Giro d ‘Italia, called Maglia Nera. … Read more

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FACES FROM THE GIRO PELOTON

Olimpio Bizzi, the youngest giro d'Italia stage winner ever

Faces from the peloton: Olimpio Bizzi (1916-1976)

The youngest Giro-stage winner ever, Olimpio Bizzi (1916-1976) was active as professional cyclist between 1936 and 1952. Practically, he was racing in the shadow of the greatest generation of Italian cyclists, including Learco Guerra, Gino Bartali, Fausto Coppi, or Giorenzo Magni Nevertheless, Bizzi had his own successes during his career. Besides some minor one-day race … Read more

GIRO D’ITALIA FUN FACTS

Mark Cavendish celebrating his last Giro d'Italia victory in 2023

The youngest and the oldest Giro d’Italia stage winners

Olimpio Bizzi is the younges stage winner ever with19 years  and 229 days.He won the 8th stage at … Read more

Eddy Merckx winning the Vuelta a Espana in 1973

Giro d’Italia -Vuelta a Espana double winners

Vuelta a Espana was a sping race for decades, the first autumn edition was held in 1995, and … Read more

Simon Yates reaches the finish line on the top of Campo Imperatore at Giro d'Italia 2018

Campo Imperatore at Giro d’Italia

Vicente López Carril 1971 Pescasseroli – Campo Imperatore 198 km Franco Chioccioli 1985 Frosinone – Campo Imperatore 195 … Read more

POPULAR POSTS

The famous picture of the smoking cyclists at Tour de France 1927

Who were the smoking cyclists at Tour de France 1927

The smoking cyclists of Tour de France 1927 is one of the most famous vintage cycling images from the heydays of road cycling races. It’s popular because  … Read more

grumpy cyclists carrying his broken bike at the Tour de France 1928

The grumpy cyclist with the broken bicycle – Giusto Cerutti at Tour de France 1928

Giusto Cerutti (1903-1993) had at least one bad day at the Tour de France in 1928.We don’t know much about the grumpy cyclist with the broken bicycle. … Read more

Famous black and withe image of Italian cyclist Fiorenzo Magni, holding an inner tube between his teeth during the Giro d'Italia in 1956

Fiorenzo Magni and the Giro d’Italia 1956

You might have always wondered what is that strange picture of Fiorenzo Magni holding something between his teeth with an heroic effort displayed on his face. As … Read more

TOUR DE FRANCE GOES ABROAD

Cyclist riding in form of spectators whenTour de France visited Metz during the early years of its history.

When Tour de France went abroad before 1914

Defining historical events of the 20th century often left  their marks on road cycling history. Just think … Read more

Federico Bahamontes Stan Ockers, and Roger Walkowiak in the 17th stage of Tour de France 1956

Tour de France visits Turin (Tour de France 1956)

Although the first ever Italian Grand Depart of Tour de France will take place in 2024, the … Read more

Cyclists rolling out of the city of Amsterdam at Tour de France 1954

Every time Tour de France started abroad

Tour de France 2024 will start in Florence (Italy). Although the race visited neigbour countries before the … Read more

FACES FROM THE PELOTON

Olimpio Bizzi, the youngest giro d'Italia stage winner ever

Faces from the peloton: Olimpio Bizzi (1916-1976)

The youngest Giro-stage winner ever, Olimpio Bizzi (1916-1976) was active as professional cyclist between 1936 and 1952. Practically, he was racing in the shadow of the greatest … Read more

Cyrille Van Hauwaert (Faces from the peloton)

Cyrille Van Hauwaert (1883-1974) was one of the most successful Belgian cyclist in the pre -WW1 era. His story  began like a folktale. The big and strong … Read more

Faces from the peloton: Victor Fontan (1892-1982)

A cyclist running while carrying his bike on his shoulder. Surely, you’ve seen this vintage cycling image several times. Now it’s time to learn a bit more … Read more

TOUR DE FRANCE FUN FACTS

Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard celebrating his first Tour de France victory in Paris in 2022

The slowest and the fastest Tour de France

You might wonder which Tour de France edition was the slowest and wich. one the fastest. Here you have the answer.The slowest Tour de Francewas the 13th … Read more

Vintage cycling image from the 1920s, two cyclists with the socalled laterne rouge, the prize for the last placed rider of the race

Lanterne rouge – list of the last cyclists of every Tour de France

They used to say history remembers only the winners. Fortunately this is not the case of Tour de France history. The last ones, the receivers of the … Read more

Eddy Merckx at the Tour de France 1970 with 8 stage victories

8 stage victories during a single Tour de France edition

There are only three riders who managed to win eight stages during a single Tour de France edition. One of them is Eddy Merckx, of course. He … Read more