Giro d’Italia fun facts

Most days in pink jersey

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Legendary Belgian cyclist Eddy Merckx spent the most day wearing pink jersey (maglia rosa) during Giro d'Italia

The pink jersey (maglia rosa) was introduced to the Giro d’Italia during the race in 1931.Learco Guerra (The Human Locomotive”) was the first rider to wear it.The top 11 riders  with  most days in pink jersey :Eddy Merckx 78 (1968,1969,1970,1972,1973,1974)Alfredo Binda 65 (1925,1927,1928,1929,1931,1933)Francesco Moser 50 (1976,1977,1979,1980,1981,1982,1984,1985)Giuseppe Saronni 48 (1979,1981,1983,1985,1986)Gino Bartali 42 (1936,1937,1939,1946,1947)Jacques Anquetil 42 (1959,1960,1961,1964,1967)Fausto … Read more

Every time Passo del Mortirolo was part of Giro d’Italia

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Marco Pantani is climbing Passo del Mortirolo alongside with Miguel Indurain at Giro d'Italia 1994

Passo del Mortirolo, usually a mid-stage ascent, was introduced to Giro d’Italia in 1990. The first rider on the top was the Venezuelan Leonardo Sierra. There is a monument to Marco Pantani at 8 km from the top (from the side of Mazzo di Valtellina).Also,  there is a special prize for the rider first atop, … Read more

Cyclists led the Giro d’Italia general classification from start to finish

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Belgian cycling superstar Eddy Merckx leading an attack while wearing the pink jersey during Giro d'Italia 1973

There are only four riders who led the general classification of Giro d’Italia thtough the entire race. Although the number of days they spent in leadeship differs due to the different stucture of the race though the years. Costante Girardengo 1919 (10 stages) During the first edition of Giro d’Italia after World War I Girardengo … Read more

The most Giro d’Italia stage victories

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Record breaking vicrory of Mario Cipollini 42 stage victories at the Giro d'Italia

Mario Cipollini won the most Giro d’Italia stages  He became the sole record holder on the 9th stage of Giro d’ Italia in 2003See the list of the top 25 riders:Mario Cipollini 42Alfredo Binda  41Learco Guerra  31Costante Girardengo  30Eddy Merckx  25Giuseppe Saronni  24Francesco Moser  23Roger De Vlaeminck 22Alessandro Petacchi 22Fausto Coppi  22Franco Bitossi  20Miguel Poblet … Read more

Giro d’Italia -Vuelta a Espana double winners

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Eddy Merckx winning the Vuelta a Espana in 1973

Vuelta a Espana was a sping race for decades, the first autumn edition was held in 1995, and its original schedules were usually very close to Giro d’Italia. Little wonder, that the first Giro-Vuelta happened only in 1973, and the first rider to achieve it was Eddy Merkcx. (Just for the record: Fausto Coppi managed … Read more

Giro d’ Italia -Tour de France doubles

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Fausto Coppi celebrating his Tour de France victory in 1949

Fausto Coppi was the first rider to win the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France in the same year (1949) The list of the riders Fausto Coppi (ITA) 1949 Fausto Coppi (ITA) 1952 Jacques Anquetil (FRA) 1964 Eddy Merckx (BEL) 1970 Eddy Merckx (BEL) 1972 Bernard Hinault (FRA) 1982 Bernard Hinault (FRA) 1985 Miguel … Read more

When Giro d’Italia visited Etna

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When Giro visited Etna at the first time Giro d'Italia 1967 Stage winner Franco Bitossi

In 2022 Giro d’Italia visits Etna on the 4th stage, right after the first rest day (following the opening stages in Hungary) Although it’s a place well known worldwide, Giro d’Italia visited it only a few times. List of stages and stage winners on Etna at the Giro d’Italia 1967 Stage 7 Catani -Etna (198 … Read more