RIVALS FOREVER
cycling and the Tour of Italy in particular have always lived a great rivalry. From the origins of duels, between the French and constant Girardengo Henry Pelissier, Belloni with Tano as the odd man out, to those of the twenties, in the same Girardengo - the first champion - and Alfredo Binda, the bike races that brings a touch of elegance and typhoid women.
Binda, cornet player of the band Cittiglio generates modernity and joins two periods. With the Little Man of Novi does not speak, simply unplug it uphill. Binda is good and lucky because the opponent could shadow him, Friulian Ottavio Bottecchia, even for political reasons is not accepted by the Houses Italian patron and must emigrate to France, where he will win the Tour de France in '24 and '25. Learco
The Mantuan War, better known as the "human locomotive" is the rival of Binda's final salary, in the early thirties, with Joseph (Gepin) Olmo spoilsport. War, formidable long-distance rider, as well as the athletic quality is loved for his smile open and doing "the hand". Binda will go down in history as the rider who, for obvious superiority in 1930 was not paid by the organizers to participate in the Giro. Grossed 22,500 pounds, the corresponding figure for the premium for the ultimate success more some stage victory. In 1935
check the star Gino Bartali, "the pious", destined to dominate the long national and international scene. The Tuscan raged until 1940 when the wood alongside the herd as Fausto Coppi, a promising young who immediately becomes the most feared nell'avversario: win it at the expense of the captain, the first of his five Tours. Bartali, proud, never to forgive the insult.
After the war, in 1946, Bartali takes revenge. Coppi will be back in odd years ('47, '49 and '53) in '52 and repeated the company for three years before the Giro and the Tour won in the same season. According to a proven script between the two litigants, however, is often to enjoy the third, Fiorenzo Magni, Tuscan three-time winner of the Tour of Italy and renamed the Lion of Flanders for his hat-trick in a row (during the years 1949, '50 and '51) in the "Queen of Walls ", the tough Belgian classic.
To find other epic duels must wait for the rivalry between the Adorni and Gimondi and a bit 'pumped by the media, between it and Motta. But the advent of Merckx, will wipe out the catch-ace putting together a trophy like no other.
Another, this time bitter, rivalry is between Francesco Moser and Giuseppe Saronni, he sees, for the first time, typhoid organized in the club. Moser combines up to 53 000 fans in his magical 1984, noted that his double record time in Mexico City, the victory at Milan-San Remo, and after many unsuccessful attempts, the longed-for success in the Tour of Italy, already Saronni won by in 1981 and 1983.
During the decade, one can not fail to mention the great challenges of Hinault and Moser against Fignon. The 90 will open but with the great duels, more to the Tour at the Giro, including Bugno and Chiappucci and closes with the epic challenge in the mountains between Marco Pantani - who for the "Diablo" Chiappucci was what was for Coppi Bartali - and Russia's Pavel Tonkov, the last to surrender to the "Pirate" in the historic Around 1998. Against Pantani have long uphill battle even Garzelli and Gotti, in turn rival Tonkov in '97 Tour, Indurain, Armstrong and Simoni. All too soon left orphaned by the largest seen since climber Charly Gaul.
TEN YEARS AFTER (Giro 1976)
In 1976, 34 years, after ten battles on the streets all over the world, Gimondi removes the enormous satisfaction of the Tour of Italy beat Merckx. The Bergamo, the third victory in the Giro, above 19 "another Belgian, De Muynck, and the Italian Fausto Bertoglio, defending champion in this edition, number 59, loses his place of honor in the time trial stage of Arcore decisive for the final results.
The defeat at the '75 Tour was marked harshly Belgian champion. In the final race Thevenet had removed the yellow jersey and then he had established the record with the company sull'Izoard, leaving the Cannibal second place overall at 2'47 "from the French. Merckx, perhaps for the first time, get this decline. The confirmation will have the following year when the Tour was won by Gimondi not even manage to win a stage. But the old lion paw from the square in "his" race. In fact, Milan-San Remo wins hands down on Panizza seventh success in winning the Spring Classic. A record perhaps unapproachable.
The 1977 gives him the ultimate career success. Around the Mediterranean, but also great suffering in the Tour of Italy - where the fans can see the Belgian plod on and on Bondone Vajolet Towers - and the Tour put under by Thevenet and Thurau. The following season it seems that around Merckx we can build a team for the revival of the sample, now 33, but for a few targeted goals. The director of the operation is the former racer Raphael Geminiani, then sporting director of Fiat France. But then the deal does not go through. At that point, the Cannibal, conscious of not being more competitive as before, and prefers to leave May 18, 1978 announced his retirement from racing.
the first time against (Florida 1966) The first time
Gimondi and Merckx is the cross Lombardia '66, tough late-season classic. Gimondi check on the younger Merckx. That same year, the same order of arrival at the Coppa Agostoni also. Then Eddy the Cannibal and will take many, many rebounds.
In '68, the challenge is all against the clock and input is always the Belgian GP in Forlì and in Lugano. In '69 Merckx is still beating from Bergamo to Flanders and Paris-Luxembourg. That's also where Gimondi year round wins the Giro pink jersey thanks to the disqualification of Merckx, tested positive to doping control after the stage Savona. But the following year will be to win right on Eddy Happy second.
In '71 we are right in the rivalry between the two great epoch: the sprint Gimondi Merckx beats both the San Remo and the World of Mendrisio in Switzerland.
THE WORLD OF LUGANO 1971
The Belgian was the third consecutive victory in the Tour de France and is the favorite on the roads in 53 decreed the success of champion champion, Fausto Coppi. Around the tenacious blue Bergamo coach Mario Ricci has assembled a squad with Basso, and Basso Dancelli. The Belgians, orchestrated by captain Merckx, close on the attacks of the Portuguese Agostinho Swerts and shove in the escape of Zoetemelk and Biton, who earn 150 km also 4 'before it decides that the Cannibal Eora to recover. On the 13th lap we try Mortensen's Danish and French on the slope of Novazzano Guimard. Merckx you drive by Pintens, Gimondi by Polidori. They go in but six remain at the end of the usual two, which starts along with cannibalism, to 250 meters, you eat from Bergamo in a sprint without history. The Belgian won with a distance of at least two cars, and arms raised. Gimondi the widening. "I lost against an opponent layer. So strong I'd never met, "says the blue, in form and capable of holding up to one hundred meters finals before losing to the rival superpower.
GIMONDI, his humble origins
Son of Moses and that of a postman delivering mail by bicycle, Felix was born in Sedrina in the countryside of Bergamo, 29 September 1942. Approaches to cycling seriously around the age of eighteen, when he begins to run in the U.S. Sedrinese, also militates in which local team as an amateur.
1964, RADIANT AVENIR
in 1964 Won the Tour de l'Avenir, Tour de France kind of small for the category, the year after passing a professional with the colors of Salvarani and hits a surprising third place in the Tour of Italy won Vittorio Adorni his captain ahead of Italo Zilioli. A month later, to replace a sick teammate, goes for Adorni shoulder in the Tour de France.
1965, NOW KING OF FRANCE
Following the withdrawal of captain, on a charge Tourmalet illness, has the freedom to "make table." Mont Ventoux on the Frenchman Raymond Poulidor finally promoted to the absence of Anquetil, Felice strong attack but does not lose his head and 34 "keeps the yellow jersey. Then they require in the time trial Versailles-Paris. And so, to debut in the "Grande Boucle, the first ends with 2'40" on Poulidor, ever after, and 9'18 "on the Italian Gianni Motta, soon after his main rival before the explosion of the phenomenon Belgian Eddy Merckx.
only 23 years, the taciturn boy born poor, who confided to reporters that his house is not had the bathroom, and family all washed in a tub, it becomes the great hope for the Italian post-Coppi. But the Tour de France, notwithstanding the past 18 days in yellow jersey in his career, will collect only the second in 1972. The crumbs left by the Cannibal, who Champs Elysees wins five times, four of them consecutive.
1966, ESCAPE TO HELL
The rivalry that opposes Merckx extends throughout the career of Gimondi that although it is often forced to succumb, he manages to carve out space for big hits. Begins as early as 1966 when, after the Paris-Roubaix, won with a bold escape and leaving the runner at Janssen 4 'wins posting the Paris-Brussels and imposes a sprint, right on neoprofessionista Belgium, the Giro di Lombardia, the classic that closes the season.
1967, HAPPY IN PINK
The appointment with the Tour of Italy in 1967 he was crowned with success in the standings, decided, after the uncertainties of the early stages, the attack of Gimondi in the penultimate stage, the Madonna del Ghisallo. Its durability and excellent recovery possibility for Italy to undermine the already declining in the standings Frenchman Jacques Anquetil, relegated to third place. The duel with
Merckx returns to the Tour next year. Gimondi's recent success is strong in the Vuelta of Spain, but this time to win and Merckx, who won three stages including the decisive one at Three Peaks. The year 1968 closes with the first link for Gimondi Italian Championship and sixth place in the World by Adorni won in Imola. Even in later years
privileged terrain of the battle-Gimondi Merckx is the greatest Italian stage race in 1969, following his disqualification for doping of Belgium, the Bergamo won his second Giro. Eddy
but takes his revenge the following year. The World of Mendrisio in Switzerland (1971) was decided in a sprint finish between the two, and Gimondi was second again, as the Tour of 1972. Revenge for the World Championships, however, Felix will have to wait a year.
Merckx, ANATOMY A CANNIBAL
1966, DAWN OF HIS ERA
Eddy Merckx's name appears for the first time in the gold of a great race in 1966: in March, is in fact the first of his seven Milan-San Remo, record not only unbeaten but perhaps even unapproachable.
The following month, a princely escape, leaving the Gimondi dominates the Roubaix runner-up, Janssen, more than 4 '. At the Giro thimbles instead requires unaltra hope of Italian cycling, Gianni Motta, talent that seems to create an exciting rivalry with Gimondi. Instead, in a sample will sweep it away legendary Eddy Merckx, the cannibal said to her insatiable hunger for victories.
EDDY, THE TRAVEL IN HEAD
Eddy Merckx Meensel Kiezegem born in Belgium, near Brussels in the province of Brabant, 17 June 1945.
His first race took place on 16 July 1961. The next year, is already in the national sample Beginners: This, in addition to 23 victories, allowed him to climb to a higher category. In 1963 he won 28 races in 1964 graduated from the amateur world champion, Sallanches in France. The following year he made his debut among the professionals, thanks to four hits over 5 races run during the months of March-April among amateurs in the highest category you put it into the light, his victories will be nine of the pros' end of the year. In March 1966 the first major statement, immediately won the Milan-San Remo, and continues through victories throughout the year. On November 4, reached with the Trofeo Baracchi (important time trial in pairs, with Bracke) the twentieth victory of the year. Some already fear that this boy not yet twenty-two could become unbeatable.
And in fact, in 1967 he wins Merckx suffered the Milan-San Remo, then two classic Belgian the Ghent-Wevelgem and the Flèche Wallonne, and so to show up at the Tour of Italy with two stage wins, which is significantly different: in the sprint Lido of Este, and uphill for posting on the Majella. After a few months gets the maximum: for Heerlen becomes, for the first time between the pro ', World Champion, confirming the success of the first three years in the amateurs.
Since then a crescendo of impressive results that led him to have a very rich prize list, and that, about thirty years since his retirement, it is even unapproachable.
In 1968 he became his hunting ground even the big stage race wins, wins hands down even his first Tour of Italy, 32 in a season full of successes, among which shines the most fascinating road race: Paris-Roubaix . The following year, have won 43 races, among them another Milan-San Remo, and the two most important Belgian classic: the Tour of Flanders (70-km solo flight and more than 5 minutes ahead of second) and the Liege-Bastogne-Liège.
It looks at the Tour de France and won with formidable authorities, nearly two minutes ahead of second, six stage wins, and all the charts outline (in the points, the King of the Mountains, the combativeness, the combined and the team). For this superiority on all fronts, the French dubbed it "The Cannibal".
The 1970 is even brighter: winning the Tour of Italy and the Tour de France (in the past two months). The French race is now only running for second place, Merckx, in fact, won the beauty of eight stages and drag your mates to win the team time trial. Between the two great revolutions have a way of winning the national championship, while in spring repeated her success in Paris-Roubaix in the Flèche Wallonne and Gent-Wevelgem. A total of 52 victories. Which become 54 (out of 120 races, nearly one in two) in 1971. These include: the World Championships in Mendrisio, the Milan-Sanremo, the Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Giro di Lombardia, the Tour of Belgium, another Tour de France, Paris-Nice, the Tour of the Dauphiné, the ' Het Volk el'Henninger Turm.
1972 was the second year of the Giro-Tour double, yet another of Milan-San Remo, yet the Liege-Bastogne-Liege, the Fleche Wallonne, Giro di Lombardia for a total of 50 victories. And at year end, still not satisfied with, fly to Mexico City and on the velodrome track gets a single test in the Hour Record, and the new Records of 10 and 20 km. In 1973
wins are 51 and about twice the Tour of Spain and Tour of Italy, with 12 stage wins, in addition to the Ghent-Wevelgem, the Amstel Gold Race, another Paris-Roubaix, Liege-Bastogne yet -Liege and Paris-Brussels. Three months
most exceptional feature in 1974, from May 16 to August 25 burst wins the Giro d'Italy (two stages), the Tour of Switzerland (3 stages), the Tour de France (8 stages) and graduated yet World Champion in Montreal. Impressive and unique.
The 1975 is the year that sees him along the Sunset Boulevard ... and be satisfied with 38 wins, including the sixth Milano-Sanremo, the second Amstel Gold Race, Tour of Flanders and another fifth Liege-Bastogne-Liège.
In 1976 only 15 wins, but another Milan-Sanremo (7 out of nine entries: impossible for anyone else), and in 1977 seventeen minor successes. Decide to withdraw in March 1978.
addition to winning races from February to October on the road, Merckx never tired even in winter when he ran in the velodrome. 98 are his victories on the track, among them the title of European champion and national champion in various specialties and 17 Six Days (the most important, Grenoble, Milan, Monaco, Berlin, Zurich, Ghent).
not just the results to give Merckx the greatest cyclist of definition of all time, but also its extraordinary gifts to complete athlete and very strong on all terrains. The Belgian has won many races for the posting, he beat the best sprinters in the sprint of his time in the mountains found only occasional opponents on the big climbs and has built the most prestigious victories, was also an excellent downhill skier, a formidable and a chrono- passista exceptional. The journalists wrote that for the time had run out of superlatives Merckx.
His conduct of the race was combative, based on the show and in profusion on the generosity of the effort: the presence of Merckx was synonymous with racing by storm, running in his head (hence the title "La Course en tete" of a film the biographical sample). All this meant that in addition to numerous wins Merckx was also often placed in the top races that could not win. A guarantee of success and concern for the opponents, all with great depth: Gimondi, De Vlaeminck, Motta, Godefroot, Van Looy, Moser, Maertens, Ocaña, Poulidor, Veerbeck, Fuente, Thevenet, Biton, Sercu.
standard of elegance and composure, Merckx has always had words of respect for all opponents, and Gimondi in particular, in accepting the superiority of the great Belgian with dignity and composure. The war between the two competitions running in no way implies any dispute ever, for any misunderstanding (the singer Enrico Ruggeri this couple will dedicate the beautiful song "Gimondi and cannibalism).
Married Claudine Acou, Merckx has two children, Sabrina and Axel (pro cyclist, bronze medalist at the Athens Olympics 2004). His bicycle factory started while still in his career, is now valued and appreciated for the production of very special high-level racing.
THE FIRST TIME IN PINK
There is also a certain Eddy Merckx also won the stage (12) comes to the Block Haus (Maiella) but does not go because of bronchitis. It is a tour in which shows particularly the sprinters. The Belgian Willy Planckaert, German Altig with the jersey of world champion. Michele Dancelli holds the honor of the Italian sprinter won in Mantua, you see Zandegù, another sprinter. Gimondi was first in trouble because of bronchitis, then grows with the advance of the race. The epic duels between the Tonale and sull'Aprica Anquetil. The 19th stage, the Udine-Three Peaks is annulled for irregularities. There was controversy over the push up (Gimondi was also involved). Happy 21st to take the top step (arriving in Tirano). The Merckx
that occurs at the start of Giro d'Italy Cycling '68 is a virtually unbeatable. Vince 4 stages (Novara, Saint Vincent, Brescia and Three Peaks) and dominates the overall standings, wearing 13 days the pink jersey. Gimondi able to get off just the satisfaction of Cesenatico-step beat in San Marino.
ERA cannibalism
impressive victory of the Three Peaks Merckx (12), with the mortgages as the first of his five Tours. In the time trial in San Marino (16) Gimondi wins. Comes forward a new sprinter, Marino Basso wins at Imola (15). On the Block Haus is necessary "Heart Of The Matter" Biton.
ONCE UPON A TIME CHANGE
Before it was invented to change, to move the relationship along with the more agile riders had to get off your bike, remove the wheel and turn the other side, where it was mounted another crown. But the 8 February 1930, after the cycling career, Tullio Compagnolo patented an ingenious idea: the hub lock.
'46 from France comes the evolution of the wand to change: the change Simplex system that eliminates the problem of the coaster. Finally, just a lever to change gears.
SAVONA AND LOMBARDY, THE STAIN OF DOPING
On 31 May 1969 Tour of Italy starts from Parma, and after 234 km, arriving in Savona. To win the stage and the Tuscan Ballini, followed by Basso and Reybroeck. Eddy Merckx retains pink jersey in the Giro and seems firmly in his hands. Instead limprevedibile
happens: the Cannibal tests positive for doping control. In his urine are detected and cortisone. It happens the end of the world: the Belgian rages, on charges of sabotage, the organizers, said that someone had put a bottle hidden in a substance, in order to get him out. And before the cameras to stop the process of Sergio Zavoli bursts into tears. It also has two masters in journalism diuscuteranno quiali Enzo Biagi and Indro Montanelli. Between fights, resentments and alleged plots, Merckx was forced to abandon the Giro, where his friend and rival triumph Felice Gimondi. It is the first episode that stains his career, since there immaculate and above all suspicion, the Belgian champions.
The second will occur four years later, the Tour of Lombardy in 1973. Eddy winner of the race, was found positive (traces of Stimul) and for the second time he has to give the victory to Gimondi.
A bit 'for these two episodes, but especially as Merckx, the best years of his career, he was able to tear any opponent for the entire season and on any terrain, in many suspected his systematic use of "aid" chemical .
What we can say today, three decades years later, the sample is most likely to have used substances to have more energy, increase the threshold of fatigue, but this is not enough to diminish the value of an athlete: Merckx was "Merckx" because it was the strongest, the most complete, even without external support. And to this agree the experts, journalists, and above all his opponents at the time.
The French and Italian disqualification of little interest to do so to participate in the Tour, where it dominates.
In 70 returns from suspension in the Giro and took the nickname form of cannibalism, because it leaves no pr road. In 71 and 72 continues to win almost always before Gimondi, that is often the only one able to challenge him.
You arrive at the World Cup 73, after a season that sees again Merckx protagonist.
MONTJUIC 1973, MERCKX
FOR A DAY At the World Cup back to a selective route, skimming the group to leave front of the candidates to victory. In Barcelona, \u200b\u200bthe circuit of Montjuic, you put the climate: the weather is hot.
coach Nino Defilippis Gimondi appointed captain and the team at the service linters with the outgoing champion Basso, the young Battaglin, Bergamo, Fabbri, Zilioli, Paolini, Poggiali and Polidori. There Gianni Motta, laltro great rival of Bergamo - especially at the end of the sixties - and not called in order not to upset Lunic tip blue.
Merckx, the great favorite, the eleventh of the seventeen laps launches an onslaught. Gimondi respond, taking the wheel Perurena Ocaña and English, the other blue Giovanni Battaglin, the Netherlands Zoetemelk and Belgian sprinter Freddy Maertens, neoprofessionista. It will be the decisive run.
Felice knew Maertens was very quick but also that cannibalism ever would be made available to the young team-mate. Thus, four kilometers from the end, sits at the wheel of Merckx and never left it. It was his only chance to win and he would not let him get away.
Gimondi, sprint, exceeds Maertens very active in setting up the sprint distance to capitan Merckx, who, inexplicably, not follow the work of young compatriot and thereby foster the success of Italian. The rainbow jersey is still among the most precious relics that lex samples stored at home. The bike instead Moffatt has kept Piero, his faithful mechanic.
FIFTEEN YEARS OF DUELS
Alsemberg In March 1963, in Belgium, the twenties Felice Gimondi beats Eddy Merckx, 18 more years to accomplish. But three decades later, that order of arrival will be the exception rather than the rule for two of the greatest champions in the history of ciclsimo.
pointless to ask what and how much he would have won the Italian if his path had not crossed the wheels of the Cannibal. What is certain is that the one was the stimulus for the other to give their best and to write the history of the great stage races and classics.
professionals in the two challenge for the first time in 1966, the year after this season, Gimondi won the Tour of Lombardy on his Belgian. In the same year and same order of arrival, the Italian won the Coppa Agostoni.
In 1968, the challenge is always against the clock and twice Merckx is faster than Gimondi, the Grand Prix of Forlì and Lugano. In 1969 he
cannibalism in pòrecedere from Bergamo, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Luxembourg. In the same year, Gimondi won the Tour of Italy due to the fact that Merckx, tested positive to doping control at the end of the stage of Savona, is disqualified. But the next year Eddy takes his revenge by winning the race stages on their Italian Felice. The 1971 still sees
Merckx beat the sprint Gimondi both the Milan-San Remo and the World Championships in Mendrisio. The order of arrival the following year, respectively in the Tour de France and the Giro del Piemonte. To see
Gimondi precede the opponent must wait for the Tour of Lombardy in 1973, where it is actually Merckx to finish first but then be disqualified for the second time in his career, for doping. The Tour of Italy, however, everything happens regularly and is once again to overtake the Italian cannibal.
In 1974, however, takes the usual script. With the increasingly voracious cannibal Gimondi and trying to counter the pace. The Belgian's Giro, the Tour and the World Cup, leaving the crumbs to the opponents. Felice Gimondi glad you finally snatching the Milan-San Remo to those who had already won five times.
Merckx, THE ORIGINS
Bergamasco, Sedrina born in 1942, Felix is \u200b\u200bthe son of Moses, the postman who "lives" and works by bike: cycling, family, is so natural. Approaching
to cycling around the age of eighteen, Felice Gimondi Sedrianese began racing in the U.S., whose team also campaigning as an amateur. In the category is not like a predestined, but does not havoc is very smooth. Curiously, he happens to be part of a transition time of cycling. Before he looks mostly to the muscles and body, but now it is important to the tactical intelligence and a shrewd approach to the race. Happy studying the strengths and weaknesses of opponents, and then is ready to seize the right moment to act.
is how it begins to take a glimpse of his talent by winning the Tour de l'Avenir in 1964, a sort of little Tour de France for amateurs. The following year he turned professional in the ranks of Salvarani and participate in the Grand Boucle shoulder as Vittorio Adorni. After the withdrawal of its captain, the young Bergamo wins the yellow jersey and, after resisting the attacks of Raymond Poulidor on Mont Ventoux, legitimizes its success with victory in the trial of Versailles. During his career, the Tour does not is never repeated, but received second place in 1972.
MERCKX, "THE" RUNNER
He is competitive everywhere, is a talented climber, a strong sprinter, but also has the power to take suddenly without being reached to the finish.
does not have the brutal power of Merckx, is the cold that he prefers to remain in the large group to plan the next move, while the Belgian - more vehement and emotional - that is agitated and pressed for the first flight possible. It is this tactical skill and acumen that every so often to allow Felix to overtake the unbeatable rival, successful enterprises in a few of his contemporaries.
PRO AND NOW TOUR
Gimondi go pro in 1965 (Salvarani), passed in 1973 to Bianchi.
His pro career 'begins with the surprising victory in the Tour de France 1965. The following year he won the classic North, Paris-Roubaix and Paris-Brussels. In the coming years, despite the bulky shadow of Merckx, however, builds a track record that places him among the great of all time.
Gimondi is one of four riders to have won all three of the biggest stage races: in addition to the Tour de France (1965), three tours of Italy (in 1967, 1969 and 1976) and the Vuelta (1968). Not to mention the classic: the Paris-Brussels (1966 and 1976), Roubaix (1966), Milan-Sanremo (1974), two Tours of Lombardy (1966 and 1973).
HAPPY, ever after in his trophy
countless places of honor, especially behind the Cannibal Flemish. A curiosity: the great win the Tour of Italy in 1969, but after Eddy was disqualified for failing a doping test. Felice recognized sports that is not a "real" victory for it is born from the misfortunes of his rival, and the awards refuses to wear the pink jersey.
GOODBYE TO SAMPLE
He retired as a winner in 1978, still healthy, integrated and competitive at 37, two years after winning his third Tour of Italy. She concluded her career on the road in 1978 with the Giro dell'Emilia. The last appearance is in a six-day, in early '79. He won 141 races. At that time a
Binda, Girardengo, Coppi and Bartali have collected more hits. It is a model of style and seriousness for future generations of cyclists.
MODEL BEHAVIOR
is almost impossible to hear someone speak ill of the group Gimondi. His professionalism, his style - travel and life - and his sportsmanship is recognized by all. Always serious, loyal, and never a moan or a childish excuse.
TRIVIA
At its height with Merckx are dedicated to the songs "Gimondi and the cannibal" by Enrico Ruggeri and "I'm Happy" by Elio e le Storie Tese.
GIMONDI THE WEEK TRAINING
SUNDAY - MONDAY
240-250 km in the race - at home, out of exhaust: 40-50 km
TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY
110-120 km without force - the most important day: 160 - 170 km; background work with intervals and recoveries
THURSDAY - 60-70 km maintenance
FRIDAY - finishing work: 120-130 km depending on the condition
Saturday - rest
Christian Giordano
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