GINO BARTALI

Gino Bartali, called “Ginettaccio”, is one of the most famous italian cyclists. He was born here in Tuscany, on 18 july 1914 in Ponte a Ema (Florence).

He died at 86 years old

His cyclist career was 20 years long (1935-1954)and was full of wins.

We remerber Bartali for its wins, but also for its duel with Fausto Coppi, another great italian cyclist of that epoch. They also cycled for the same team (the Legnano).
Famous is the photo of Bartali and Coppi when exchange a bottle of water durign a hard slope.

What he won:

 -5 Tuscany tour in 1939, 1940, 1948, 1950, 1953
 -3 Giri d’Italia in 1936, 1937, 1946
 -2 Tour de France in 1938, 1948
Cyclist who lived the terrible period of Worl War II, his wins have had a diplomatic effect, in fact the second win at the “Tour the France” (1948) was useful to pacify the revolution climate after the assassination attempt of Palmiro Togliatti.
Thanks to him many persecuted jewishes was saved during fascist persecution.
MARIO CIPOLLINI

Another italian cyclist born in Tuscany is Mario Cipollini (Lucca, 22 march 1967), called Leon King (Re Leone).
What he won:

He detains the record of stages won in Giro d’Italia: 42, against the precursor Binda with 41 stages won.

In 2002 he won the “Milano-San Remo” and the “World Championship in Zolder” with the record of medium speed: 46,5 Km/h.

He obtained 12 wins of stages at the Tour the France.

On 7 may 2005 he retired from competitions, but in 2008 he returned to cycle in America for Tour of California.