Memorabilia
Fausto Coppi & Gino Bartoli Celebrating
- Item Number
- 118
- Opening Bid
- 20 USD
Item Description
The most famous rivalry in the peloton was perhaps between Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi, arguably the greatest feud in cycling history.
Gino Bartali was the undisputed champion of Italian cycling until Fausto came along. The latter beat his older rival time and again, winning the race five times and le Tour de France twice. (Gino won the Giro thrice and Tour de France once).
Italy took sides between the religious, rural Gino and the self-professed atheist from Italian north, Fausto. Even the Vatican took sides: Pope Pius XII naturally supported religious Gino Bartali and refused to bless one race because Coppi was riding in it.
Their personal rivalry was more acidic. In an era when performance-enhancing drugs were not yet forbidden, Coppi admitted to using them almost all the time. Doping infuriated his older rival, who would often keep spies, ransack Coppi’s room or picked up Coppi’s bottles to figure out what special drug Coppi was using. In 1949 at the world championships, both quit the race rather than help each other win. They apparently reconciled for 1952 Tour de France, but it was short lived.
Item Special Note
Winning bidder is responsible for the shipping costs or picking up items in Denver, Colorado
BikeDenver stores data...
Your support matters, so BikeDenver would like to use your information to keep in touch about things that may matter to you. If you choose to hear from BikeDenver, we may contact you in the future about our ongoing efforts.
Your privacy is important to us, so BikeDenver will keep your personal data secure and BikeDenver will not use it for marketing communications which you have not agreed to receive. At any time, you may withdraw consent by emailing Privacy@frontstream.com or by contacting our Privacy Officer. Please see our Privacy Policy found here PrivacyPolicy.