Tour de France visits Turin (Tour de France 1956)

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

Although the first ever Italian Grand Depart of Tour de France will take place in 2024, the race visited Italy for plenty of times, usually during mountain stages in the Alps. Turin is one of the most visited Italian cities by Tour de France.  In 1956, peloton made a trip to the place in 17th … Read more

Vintage cycling image of the day: Charly Gaul on Mont Ventoux

Charly Gaul on the Mont Ventoux during the individual time trial at the Tour de France 1958

Charly Gaul won the 21 km moutain time trial up to the top of Mont Ventoux at the Tour de France 1958. Although nowadays Mont Ventoux is usually known by its legendary mountain top finishes, on its first three appearances (1951, 1952, 1955) at the Tour de France the peloton crossed the summit only during … Read more

Charly Gaul on the Monte Bondone (Giro d’Italia 1956)

Iconic snow images at the Giro d'Italia Charly Gaul on the Monte Bondone 1956

Cycling in extreme weather: Charly Gaul on the famous stage 20 up to Monte Bondone at the Giro d’Italia 1956   Race director Vincenzo Torriani was asked to cancel the stage due to the rough weather conditions were forecasted. But he declined it, he may have thought, this could make the unexciting race exciting again. … Read more

4 June 1965 Cima Coppi Was Introduced

Every year the highest peak of the Giro d’Italia is called “Cima Coppi”, in honour of the great cyclist Fausto Coppi (1919-1960). In the inauguration year, the highest peak of the route was Passo dello Stelvio. The race was a real spectacle due to the heavy snowfall. Graziano Battistini crossed the finish line first on … Read more