29 June 1951 Death of Serse Coppi, Fausto’s little brother

Serse Coppi with his brother Fausto Coppi in 1947

Understandably, the death of Serse Coppi after a crash during a race in Turin (Italy) had a huge impact onhis brother, the great Fausto Coppi’s life.   Serse Coppi, like his more famous brother, was a professional cyclist too. He was three and a half years younger than Fausto, and started his career only after … Read more

Fausto Coppi and the Tour de France

Famous picture of Fausto Coppi with sun glasses celebrating his Tour de France victory in 1949

It might sound unbelievable, but Fausto Coppi, the third Campionissio of the Italian cycling, one of the greatest legends of the sport rode Tour de France only 3 times. From our rather nostalgic point of view it appears as a longer period. But no. It happened only three times between 1949 and 1952. So big … Read more

A lunch before the race (Jean Robic, Tour de France 1951)

A waitress is smilong in the camera, while Tour de France winner Jean Robic eat some lobster before the 4th stage at Tour de France 1951

Jean Robic, winner of Tour de France 1947, was one of the most important cyclists of the post 2nd world war era. Of course, he was racing in the shadow of the giants, Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali, but after all, he managed to win a Tour de France and also several stages. In many … Read more

17 July 1951 Wim van Est’s crash on the Aubisque

Wim van Est after he fell into a 70 meter deep ravine in the 13th stage of Tour de France 1951

On the 12th stage of Tour de France 1951 Wim van Est escaped with a small group, won the stage and took the lead in the general classification. He was the first Dutchman to wear the yellow jersey. Next day the peloton arrived in the Pyrenees. The 201 km 13th long stage between Dax and … Read more