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Andy Hampsten climbing Gavia during Giro d'Italia 1988

The day cycling nearly froze (Gavia Pass, Giro d’Italia 1988)

In the storied history of the Giro d’Italia—a race synonymous with suffering, spectacle, and sublime scenery—one stage stands… Read More »The day cycling nearly froze (Gavia Pass, Giro d’Italia 1988)

Eddy Merckx’s victory on Blockhaus (Giro d’Italia 1967)

Every road cycling legend, every great champion, has that first unforgettable, career-defining moment—the moment when they surpass all… Read More »Eddy Merckx’s victory on Blockhaus (Giro d’Italia 1967)

Marco Pantani in pink jersey during Giro d'Italia 1999

What if? – five Giro d’Italia moments that could have changed cycling forever

The Giro d’Italia is more than just a race—it’s a battlefield of heartbreaks, heroics, and head-spinning turns of… Read More »What if? – five Giro d’Italia moments that could have changed cycling forever

The young Gino Bartali celebrating his first Giro d'Italia victory in 1936

Gino Bartali’s breakthrough at Giro d’Italia 1936

In the pantheon of cycling legends, Gino Bartali stands out not only for his remarkable achievements but also… Read More »Gino Bartali’s breakthrough at Giro d’Italia 1936

The colourful and fascinating world of road cycling history from a point of view of a literary critic. 

Vintage road cycling stories - a blog by Anita Pethő



 

IN FOCUS :

THE HISTORY OF GIRO D'ITALIA

 

 

Eddy Merckx in maglia rosa Felice Giimondi in the world champion shirt during Giro d'Italia 1974

A battle of seconds (Giro d’Italia 1974)

In the long and storied history of the Giro d’Italia, few editions have left as lasting an impression… Read More »A battle of seconds (Giro d’Italia 1974)



 

Pierre Beuffeuil

Pierre Beuffeuil and the accidental victory amidst a presidential greeting

The Tour de France is renowned not just for its grueling climbs and fierce competition, but also for… Read More »Pierre Beuffeuil and the accidental victory amidst a presidential greeting

A cyclists is sleeping among hays during Tour de France 1939

What could possibly go wrong? – slightly comical history of early road cycling

Before the peloton moved in a perfectly choreographed blur of carbon fiber and race radios, road cycling was… Read More »What could possibly go wrong? – slightly comical history of early road cycling



 



 

FACES FROM THE GIRO D’ITALIA PELOTON

posting fun facts on social media about Giro d'italia 1930

Five little fun facts about Giro d’Italia 1930

After several years of overwhelming dominance, Alfredo Binda was nicely asked (and paid generously) by the organizers to… Read More »Five little fun facts about Giro d’Italia 1930

5 fun facts about Giro d’Italia 1946

The 29th Giro d’Italia (15 June-7 July 1946) was the first edition of the Italian grand tour after… Read More »5 fun facts about Giro d’Italia 1946

Giro d'Italia 1971 winner Gösta Petterson posing in maglia rosa (pink jersey)

Faces from the Giro d’Italia peloton: Gösta Petterson

In the world of professional cycling, few stories are as quietly remarkable as that of Gösta Pettersson, the… Read More »Faces from the Giro d’Italia peloton: Gösta Petterson



 

VINTAGE IMAGE OF THE DAY

Extract from the famous vintage cycling image when four cyclists smoking cigarettes in 1927

Smoking cyclists (Tour de France 1927)

The smoking cyclists of Tour de France 1927 is one of the most famous vintage cycling images from… Read More »Smoking cyclists (Tour de France 1927)

MOST POPULAR STORIES

The 10th stage of Tour de Frwnce 1926 is often dubbed as the hardest stage ever

The toughest Tour de France stage ever

The 10th stage of Tour de France 1926 is often dubbed as the toughest stage ever in the… Read More »The toughest Tour de France stage ever

Fiorenzo Magni’s heroic efforts after his crash at Giro d’Italia 1956

One of the most iconic vintage road cycling images features Fiorenzo Magni grimacing in pain on a gradually… Read More »Fiorenzo Magni’s heroic efforts after his crash at Giro d’Italia 1956

TOUR DE FRANCE FUN FACTS

Extract from the famous vintage cycling image when four cyclists smoking cigarettes in 1927

Smoking cyclists (Tour de France 1927)

The smoking cyclists of Tour de France 1927 is one of the most famous vintage cycling images from… Read More »Smoking cyclists (Tour de France 1927)

MORE ROAD CYCLING FUN FACTS

Monte Grappa in the program of Giro d’Italia

Monte Grappa sits in the Veneto region, and depending on the route taken, it can be incredibly brutal—like… Read More »Monte Grappa in the program of Giro d’Italia

The youngest and the oldest Giro d’Italia stage winners

Olimpio Bizzi is the youngest stage winner ever with 19 years  and 229 days. He won the 8th… Read More »The youngest and the oldest Giro d’Italia stage winners



 



 

GREATEST CYCLING LEGENDS



 



 

Vintage Cycling Stories is member of PelotonTales blogfamily, blogs about road cycling past present (and future) from culturlp historical point of view.