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Giro d’Italia vintage

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. The idea came from a story in the 1920s. A football player, called Giuseppe Ticozzelli was such a cycling enthusiast, that he attended the race as an individual rider in 1926. Individuals were common in the peloton of the grand tours  in the early years. They had no helpers, no supporting crew; and the most extraordinary stories usually happened with them. Because they had to care about themselves, it wasn’t a big surprise when they dropped early from the race and finished a  stage several hours after the majority of… Read More »The story of the Maglia Nera (Giro d’Italia 1946-1951)

Peloton&Tales Cycling Who's Who: Giovanni Brunero

Cycling Who’s Who: Giovanni Brunero

Giovanni Brunero was born on the 4 October 1895 in San Maurizio Canavese, Italy. Brunero was the first rider to win the Giro d’Italia 3 times (1921, 1922, 1926), which was a remarkable result during the era of Costante Girardengo and  Alfredo Binda. On the other hand, Brunero’s triumphs seemed to be not entirely undisputable. The Giro d’Italia in 1922 called the race of “mille polemiche”, a. k . a “The Giro of Thousand Arguments”. After an illegal wheel change on the first stage of the race, he only got a penalty of 25 minutes. The teams of Costante Girardengo (Maino) and Gaetano Belloni (Bianchi) wanted him to be excluded from the race. When they… Read More »Cycling Who’s Who: Giovanni Brunero

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Cycling Who’s Who: Learco Guerra

Learco Guerra was born on the 14 of October 1902 in Bagnolo San Vito, Italy. After a short attempt to be a football player, Guerra turned to road cycling and became professional in 1928.  He was among the top riders of the era both in the peloton of the Grand Tours and the one-day classics. He earned the nickname “Locomotiva Umana” [ Human Locomotive]. Guerra attended the Tour de France twice (1930 and 1933), he finished second in both occasions.  He also won a total of 7 Tour de France stages. He earned much more success at the Giro d’Italia. In 1931 he became the first wearer of the maglia rosa after winning the first… Read More »Cycling Who’s Who: Learco Guerra

Cycling Who’s Who: Giuseppe Enrici

Giuseppe Enrici was born on the 16 Juni 1894 in Pittsburgh, USA. Although he was born in America, he was an Italian citizen at the time when he won the Giro d’Italia (1924).  He also won two stages that year.  His other results at the Giro: 3rd (1921), 6th (1923) 5th  1926) 13th (1928). He attended several other Italian races mostly with top10  results, but without any other notable victory. Giuseppe Enrici’s professional teams: 1922–1924 Legnano 1925 Armor-Dunlop 1926 Automoto-Hutchinson Giuseppe Enrici died on the 1st September 1968, in Nice, France

Mini Cycling Who’s Who: Gaetano Belloni

Every generation has its “eternal second” rider. During the post WW1 period in Italy, this was Gaetano Belloni. Belloni was born on the 26th of August in 1892 in Pizzighettone, Italy. Before turning professional, he won several races as amateur, including the Italian Championship. There were significantly more races held during the first World War than during the second one, and Belloni participated in many of them. He was avoided to be called to the front after he lost his thumb and forefinger of his right hand when he was working in textile manufacture before becoming a cyclists.  He won the two Italian monuments multiple times (Milano-Sanremo 1917 and 1920, Giro di Lombardia 1915, 1918… Read More »Mini Cycling Who’s Who: Gaetano Belloni