The Campionissimo against the "third man" of the Italian cycling: that between Coppi and Magni is the other great duel between the axes of the foot, on horseback between the forties and fifties. Fausto Fiorenzo will never live with the same, fierce rivalries, but divided with Gino Bartali, but the challenge between the heron and the Lion of Flanders will give fans the same challenges and extraordinary undertakings of the most beautiful and exciting era d ' gold of this sport.
1956 Tour of Lombardy, the last battle
October 1956: the Giro di Lombardia, Coppi chasing perhaps the last great triumph of a legendary career, and now starts at sunset. Magni, however, caused by an external event, it reacts and takes a prodigious chase, forcing the Campionissimo to surrender. And tears.
OLD YOUNG LION
AIRONE the still the classic of the mountains of Lombardy is perhaps the most beloved Coppi has: on the streets, in fact, wrote pages of legend, winning four consecutive editions in Lombardy, from 1946 to 1949, and repeated in 1954 just ahead of Magni.
Two years later, both are still there, against each other, Coppi has already taken 37 years, for him there was only one win (in Campari GP) in a sad season, with the head turned to the more family squabbles to cycling. Fausto ride - you evil - to stay away from trouble. Magni, however, came second in the Tour of Italy and still has energy to spare. The determination, then, is the same as always.
The "old" seems Coppi day of grace, and that could be the last great enterprise of his exceptional career. Fausto - which runs for the team Carpano Coppi - goes on the run with the young Ronchini. At the beginning of the Bianchi rider works, then joined him in the flagship, to addressed, its ds Pinella, a great friend Coppi, and as if by magic the Romagna stops pulling, citing as an excuse a pain in the knee. The weight of the race thus ends on the shoulders of Champions, which seems to fly that day: see it, Fausto think back to a time leads to all, and earn second, perhaps senses that you are in front of his last chance.
Behind the two fugitives, suddenly, after all seem to have surrendered, and Magni - the year before had won the Tour of Italy thanks to a kind of holy alliance with Coppi - to lead the chase. Fiorenzo But not only chasing the victory, chasing revenge.
Magni was in the group and had no chaser interest in shooting. She hoped they did Darrigade, Bobet, Van Looy, Poblet. If they had reached, Fiorenzo then would play their cards. But Coppi was difficult to grab on the run. At one point, however, a car had touched Magni. It was a car convertible. Standing, Giulia Occhini, the "White Lady", companion Coppi, had railed against Fiorenzo, who had reserved a couple of inelegant gestures. Magni was then imbufalito: "Now I run after him up to Novi Ligure," he had yelled.
And so the Lion of Flanders cycling pulling Comino to death. The others go back. Fausto take it back to the outskirts of Milan, to the bridge of Ghisolfa. Coppi tries desperately to win the sprint and almost succeeds. But Darrigade beats him by a whisker. And the champion, faded the last example, starts to cry bitterly.
cries, Coppi, on the lawn of the Vigorelli. He can not understand, and his face seems sharper than ever, more sad, more off. The emotion in those who attend closely to that drama might not only sports, is large, palpable, intense.
No one had ever seen him in tears after a run. That day, however, Coppi cries. Without shame or brakes. And long. He understood - and reported - that, not his faults, the last great opportunity of his career had just passed her by. And he had not been able to seize it.
COPPI STORY
Angelo Fausto Coppi, the champions of modern cycling, was born in Castellana (Alexandria) September 15, 1919. After a brief amateur career, go pro in 1939. A year later the wood and its role is to act as a wingman in the Tour of Italy captain Gino Bartali, Fausto instead will own, younger than five years, to win the race, opening the dualism par excellence in the cycling world , a rivalry that will continue for at least fifteen years.
UNDER THE BOMBS THE RECORD TIME
1942 On 7 November '42, under the bombs, Coppi try to beat the hour record, held by Frenchman Maurice Archambaud with 45.840 km. The preparation is not the best: there is war and Bent is in the Army in an infantry regiment in Tortona. At 14, on the runway of Milan's Vigorelli begins the attempt. Perhaps because of lack of experience in the specialty, the 30th round is a slight delay. In half an hour, covered 22.946 km 23.007 against the Archambaud. At the 70th session of the crisis is overcome and set the delay, 2 seconds from the time of the French. The last 30 laps are a pain: gaining valuable yards in a losing around then the next. At the end, after 115 laps Coppi takes precedence to 45.871 km, 31 meters higher than the previous record. Followed by French protests on regularity of the test, partly due to war, the record will be approved at the international level five years later, February 9, 1947, and with difficulty because of witnesses (for example, the timekeeper) had died in the conflict. The new limit will endure for 14 years until 29 June '56 when to improve it - even here amid controversy - will be Jacques Anquetil.
OF THE SANREMO 1946
The Second World War remains Coppi youth. Fausto left for the front was taken prisoner by the British. In 1946, the activity recovery, has already 27 years old and will be featured at least until 1955.
Fausto is relentless on the pass and uphill, not a sprint: his victories occur solo, often long-term leak. Both those which enhance the millions of listeners attached to the radio in the 1946 Milan-Sanremo and the Giro in 1949, the legendary Tappone Cuneo-Pinerolo.
the classic of 1946 is the first real race since the end of the war. After just 10 km Coppi - that the impossible coexistence with Bartali left the wood for the Bianchi - is queued to the four parties behind the escape attempt of the French Teisseire. A group of Binasco the head is already formed, and remains unchanged until the first ramps of the Turchino, where only Teisseire resists attack by an unleashed Coppi. Not last long: Fausto off too and looks alone of the tunnel Turchino, and gradually increases the advantage of 145 km solo flight, closed with 14 'on Teisseire and 24' on the group and Bartali.
TOUR 1949, the legendary Cuneo-Pinerolo
The Cuneo-Pinerolo of 254 km is perhaps the masterpiece of the World Cup, his most legendary. On June 10, 1949, the Tour faces a terrible stage, with the Magdalene, Vars, the Izoard, the Montgenevre and Sestriere. Coppi attacked immediately and face alone the five steps, over 190 km and about 8 hours into the race, reaching the finish line, despite the 5 holes, after almost 9 hours and 30 'on the pedals and with an advantage over Bartali of 11'32 " and almost 20 'on the pink jersey Adolfo Leoni.
A week earlier, the successful and hard-Bassano Bolzano, Coppi was trimmed to 7 Lions' after having climbed in the solitary Rolle, Pordoi and Gardena. At the start of Cuneo, everyone expected another sharp Castellania sample, but to repel the attack Volpi view of the Colle della Maddalena, Fausto flies away in a company that will build on the legendary and his trio at the Giro, won 23'47 "Bartali on the second. And next month, will center his first Tour de France.
THE GOLDEN PERIOD OF Champions
Before, no one had ever done the double in the same season, and Fausto even the repeats, in 1952, after passing two tragic events: the incident where Primolano, the Tour of 1950, the rift basin, the death of his brother Serse, fell in the 1951 Giro del Piemonte. In the two wins Giro time trial, the Rome-Rocca di Papa of 35 km and the Erba-Como, punctuated by the Venice-Bozen. Taking the shirt from the tenth stage, arrived in Milan with 9'18 "on Magni, second.
The challenge between the two continues indirectly on the roads of France, with Fausto that one year after the historic crisis, won for the second time the "Grande Boucle", which is also best climber, trimming 28'17 "placed at Ockers , 35'25 "on Bartali, fourth, 38'25 and Magni in the sixth.
Finally, in 1953 in Lugano, won his manner, in solitary, the World Cup on the road, successfully pursued throughout his career.
DECLINE
From 1955 to Fausto begins the slow but inexorable decline. Advanced age and the number of fractures - at least a dozen major ones in his career - are felt. Fausto refuses to leave the race, but the hits do not come anymore. In view of the season of 1960, forty years, would run again, but in a hunt in Africa, at the end of 1959, he contracted malaria. A
UAGA Dogu THE LAST RACE
Raphael Geminiani is the creator of the expedition in Upper Volta, then a French colony. With them also leave Anglade, Anquetil, Hassenforder and Rivière. A
Uaga Dogu, Coppi dispute his last race. It is December 13, 1959. Geminiani then goes hunting. Back at the camp are attacked by mosquitoes. In France, Geminiani was treated with quinine for the Pasteur Institute had been diagnosed as right: he was suffering from malaria. For
Fausto continues instead to speak of a strange influence. Hospital in Tortona, unconscious at about 22 New Year's Eve 1960. And at 8:45 on January 2, surrounded by the emotion of the whole nation, and Grey folding wings.
MAGNI STORY
Fiorenzo Magni was born in Prato Vaiano of December 7, 1920, was one of the best racers forties and fifties. Nicknamed the "Lion of Flanders", for the courage shown in the Belgian classic, won for three consecutive years, was the "third man" in the golden age of Italian cycling, a worthy adversary of Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi, the quintessential Italian cycling archrivals.
In 1936 he begins to run candidates in the category for the strongest team in the area, the Cycling Association of Prato. In 1937, past students, gets 12 hits and to be able to understand the professional racer, but a short time later in a car accident, her father died and has to go to work to help the family. In 1938, amateur racing, card Alfredo Martini with AC for Montecatini Terme. Vince different races and the following year is selected for the World category, held in Varese, then canceled by the outbreak of World War II.
wins as an amateur in 1940, timed in tandem with Vito Ortelli, the Giro della Provincia di Milano. The following year, passing the professional Bianchi, who was following him for some time and which will remain in three seasons.
Magni comes with fourth place in the Milan-Turin and Milan-Sanremo, but will have to settle for eight years to make the follower. And like all cyclists at the time, will see his career heavily penalized by the events of the war.
In the second half of 1943, after September 8, the date of the armistice signed by General Badoglio with the Allies, Fiorenzo adheres to the Republic of Salò. The facts that bind to the chosen field led him, in July 1944, to move to Monza, where he met Liliana, his future wife. Disqualified
grapes (the former Italian federation), 1946 passed without the run, for some, because of his fascist sympathies, according to others, for races where he participated under an assumed name.
In 1947, the Visconti, and races back to winning his first national team for the World torrid French Reims, where he is the protagonist in the decisive run, closed with a fourth place behind the Dutch and Middelkamp Jansen and the Belgian Sercu the place of honor.
AROUND 1948, THE FIRST TIME IN PINK
In 1948, Magni addresses for the first time the classic north (in the Paris-Roubaix is \u200b\u200bthe fifth and retired the Tour of Flanders) and the second stake wins first Giro d ' Italy, despite the penalty of 120 "to pressures imposed by the jury deemed to be irregular. With
Bartali lingered from a fall, Fiorenzo wearing the pink jersey and a large margin thanks to a flight that had surprised the favorites. Then, on the Pordoi during Cortina d'Ampezzo-Trent, Magni received several thrusts and several teams complaining. The Jury of the penalized two minutes in the standings, but Coppi, stage winner and defending champion, in protest against the penalty, which is considered too soft, he retires with all the Whites.
The last two stages, for the pink jersey, I am a Calvary: undeclared whistling all the way, Magni won the 19th and last lap, the Brescia-Milan 231 km. FLANDERS TO THE TRIPLET
On 10 April 1949, after spending the winter working out on track in Switzerland, April 10 at the start back in the Tour of Flanders, by itself, the only company with a mechanic and a journalist Gazzetta dello Sport. It will be the first of three consecutive victories in the "Queen of the walls."
The first time he won before Ollevier and Schotte. In 1950, removing all the terrible wall of Grammont, on paved surfaces covered by coal dust. In 1951, by display of power against the French and Gauthier Redolfi. No
Italian rider was never able to win the last classic of the north, Fiorenzo succeeds three times in a row and for his courage won the deserved nickname of "Lion of Flanders", in tribute to the legendary Belgian paraphrase Joseph "Jef" Demusyere, said the locomotive of Flanders.
OTHER SUCCESSES
passista Excellent - especially on dirt - not excelled Magni uphill, but downhill, which tackled with determination and courage legendary, seemingly hopeless situations reversed. Thus win three consecutive tours of Flanders (1949 to 1951) and as many tours of Italy (1948, 1951 and 1955), the last of which - won for just 13 "on pairs - as the oldest winner of the Giro.
Among his achievements even more prestigious three statements at the Turn of the Piedmont, in the cabins and the Italian Championship Trophy. Finally, the second in the World Cup in 1951 (preceded by the Swiss Ferdi Kübler) and at 36 years, the Tour of Italy of 1956 (behind Charly Gaul of Luxembourg).
He always missed the Tour de France, but in 1950, during the 12th stage, while in the yellow jersey, the Italian team had withdrawn as a result of pressures Bartali, attacked on the Col d'Aspin troublemakers by some French.
1950, THE TOUR injustice
In 1950, the Tour - then reserved for national training programs - Italy, as always, is represented by two teams. That of the "tricolor", with Bartali captain, and that of the "cadets", led by Magni. Fiorenzo wins the yellow jersey on July 25 in the stage of Saint-Gaudens, won by Bartali. Italians of both training win all the time, and against them are locked in a hateful media campaign. Along the way people call them with contempt "macaroni." Some, especially on the climb, reach out your hand. First up Bartali, who once the hotel called the journalists to declare that the next day the Italian representative would be home. Goddet, patron of the race, implores him not to, but Bartali is unyielding. The dream ends there yellow Magni: folded together with the shirt in his suitcase. TURN TO THE TRIS
(1955) AND THE END CAREER
Magni was invented, in cycling, what today is called "sponsorship", combining his team to a company that had nothing to do with the bike: advertising without ties to the market of the mechanical means, made its appearance in 1954 with the new line set up by Fiorenzo, the Nivea-Fuchs.
is with the colors that spends the Tuscan the last three years of his career. In 1955 tris ago for the third time, after the Flemish and the Italian Championship, is the third successful - albeit not in a row - the Tour of Italy, won for just 13 "on Coppi.
The following year, the last of his career, he broke his collarbone falling in the 12th, the Grosseto-Livorno. And to endure the pain, clenching his teeth running a leather strap tied to the handlebars. And due to the withdrawal of the best rated in the horde of the stage from Bondone, played in a snowstorm closes the 2nd place, 3'27 "behind winner Gaul.
At the end of the season, Magni says stop after more than seventy victories (including six stages in the Giro, Tour and 7 to 4 in the Vuelta), 24 days and nine yellow and pink mesh tricolor 3.
THE
retired from racing after the race, will serve in leadership positions and long positions will be national coach, president of the runners and president of the Professional League.
ME, HIM AND THE OTHER
Scholar Craft, attentive to every aspect of the profession (dallalimentazione the strict respect for the life of an athlete), Magni was very close to Coppi, his great opponent between 1948 and 1955, as openness to modernity. For
culture and character, however, Fiorenzo was perhaps more similar to fellow Bartali, which shared the boundless confidence in himself, infinite courage and determination. And with these qualities, combined with a more authoritarian management that gregarious, Magni, runner of rare intelligence, it was also capable of great enterprises.
And while the whole of Italy and lined up in cheering between coppiani bartaliani, the "third man", a year younger than Fausto, gave birth to another with the Campionissimo super rivalry that has made all the more memorable years epic of Italian cycling.
CHRISTIAN GIORDANO
ch.giord @ gmail.com
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