Think You Know the Giro d'Italia? These Facts Will Prove You Wrong
The Giro d'Italia, one of the three Grand Tours of the cycling world alongside the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España, is a demanding 21-day race that traverses the beautiful and often challenging Italian geography. Since its birth at the beginning of the 20th century, it has woven a rich history full of anecdotes, rivalries, and unforgettable moments. Join us to discover some of the most fascinating curiosities that have marked the legend of this emblematic competition.
How was the Giro d'Italia born?
The Giro d’Italia saw the light of day on May 13, 1909. Its origin was an initiative of the influential sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport. This creation arose as a direct response to the Giro d’Italia automobile race, a similar competition promoted by the rival newspaper, Corriere della Sera.
What was the curious anecdote of the first stage winner?
The honor of winning the first stage of the Giro d’Italia fell to Luigi Ganna. At the end of the day, a journalist approached him to find out his impressions of the race. The rider's response was as sincere as it was unexpected: "My butt hurts."
How was the first edition awarded and how much did the riders win?
The first edition of the Giro was decided by points, a system that would remain until 1914, when accumulated times were introduced. The overall winner pocketed 5,325 lire. Curiously, even the rider who finished in last place received a prize, although considerably smaller: 300 lire.
How many cyclists managed to complete the grueling first edition?
The difficulty of the early editions of the Giro was evident in the high rate of abandonment. Of the 127 brave riders who started the first edition, only 49 managed to cross the finish line in Milan.
What was one of the biggest challenges in the early editions?
One of the most extreme tests for cyclists in the early days of the Giro was the ascent to Colle Sestriere. Because the road was completely snow-covered, the riders were forced to climb this mountain pass on foot, pushing their bicycles.
How strenuous were the stages in the early years of the Giro?
The Giro d’Italia of the early editions was known for its extreme physical demands. Some stages lasted up to an incredible 18 hours, testing the riders' endurance to the limit.
What was the unique female participation in the Giro?
In 1924, the Giro d’Italia witnessed the first and only participation of a woman: Alfonsina Strada. Despite being excluded in the eighth stage for alleged irregularities according to the organization, the tenacious rider decided to continue outside the competition and completed all the stages, arriving in Milan where she was received as a true national heroine.
Who was the first Frenchman to win a stage of the Giro?
The cyclist Jacques Anquetil had the honor of being the first French rider to achieve victory in a stage of the Giro d’Italia.
Who overwhelmingly dominated the Giro in its early years?
In the early years of the Giro, a clear dominator stood out: Alfredo Binda. This talented Italian cyclist achieved an impressive streak of four consecutive victories in the Italian round, from 1926 to 1929. Faced with his evident superiority, the organizers made an unusual decision: they proposed that he not participate in the 1930 edition, offering him in return a prize of 22,500 lire, the same amount he would have won if he had won the race.
When was the iconic maglia rosa introduced?
It was in 1931 when the momentous decision was made that the leader of the general classification would wear a pink jersey, in a tribute to the characteristic color of the organizing newspaper, La Gazzetta dello Sport. The first cyclist to wear this emblematic garment was Learco Guerra.
When did other distinctive jerseys emerge in the Giro?
In 1934, a green jersey was introduced to distinguish the leader of the special mountains classification. Over time, other prizes and jerseys were added, recognizing specialists in different terrains and enriching the competition. Interestingly, before becoming the maglia ciclamino (purple), the jersey that awarded regularity in the finishes was blue.
Who was the first Spaniard to wear the maglia rosa?
The first time a Spanish cyclist donned the prestigious maglia rosa was in 1958, and the honor fell to Botella.
What was Eddy Merckx's controversial disqualification in the Giro?
The 1969 edition was marked by the controversial disqualification of the legendary Eddy Merckx for an alleged positive doping control. This event forced the "Cannibal" to hand over the pink jersey to Gimondi, who refused to wear it as a sign of respect. As a kind of revenge, Merckx would later demonstrate his greatness by winning the Tour de France and adding four more victories to the Giro d’Italia.
Who are the top winners of the Giro d'Italia?
Three names stand out as the great dominators of the history of the Giro d'Italia, each with an impressive record of five victories: the Italians Alfredo Binda and Fausto Coppi, and the Belgian Eddy Merckx. To honor the memory of the latter, the highest mountain pass of each edition of the Giro is named the "Cima Coppi".
Who was the youngest winner and the oldest participant in the Giro?
The youngest cyclist to conquer the Giro d’Italia was the legendary Fausto Coppi, who achieved victory in 1940 at just 20 years old. At the opposite extreme, the oldest rider to participate in the race was Gerbi, who took the start in 1932 at the remarkable age of 47 years.
How did the World Wars influence the race?
The Giro d'Italia, like many other sporting events, was directly affected by the great war conflicts. The race was not held between 1915 and 1918 due to World War I, and again between 1941 and 1945 during World War II. The return of the Giro after these periods was always a symbol of hope and a celebration of the sporting spirit.
What was peculiar about the stage finishes in the early days of the Giro?
The first time a stage of the Giro had its finish at the top of a mountain, a format that is now crucial in race strategy, was in 1937 at the Blockhaus, a demanding mountain pass located in the Apennines.
What type of time trial is characteristic of the Giro?
The Giro d'Italia has pioneered the inclusion of the "cronoscalata", an individual time trial that is contested uphill. These stages are particularly favorable for pure climbers and often play a decisive role in defining the general classification.
Who was one of the first great figures of Italian cycling?
Costante Girardengo, nicknamed the "Gran Zampano", was one of the first superstars of Italian cycling. His dominance in the Giro in the early 20th century made him a legend of the sport.
How has communication between teams and riders evolved?
For many years, radio communication between team directors and riders was prohibited in the Grand Tours, including the Giro. This regulation forced cyclists to make tactical decisions autonomously, adding an element of uncertainty and pure individual strategy to the competition. The subsequent reintroduction of radios has significantly transformed the dynamics of the race.
What was the "Trittico Lombardo"?
Traditionally, at the end of the Italian cycling season, the "Trittico Lombardo" was held, a series of three prestigious one-day classics in the Lombardy region. Winning these races was considered a highly important achievement and often marked the close of the cycling season in Italy.
Image credit: Depositphotos