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)
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
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
The birth of a legend: Passo dello Stelvio and its dramatic nitroduction to the Giro d’Italia
In the rich and storied history of the Giro d’Italia, few moments shine as brightly—or as chillingly—as that… Read More »The birth of a legend: Passo dello Stelvio and its dramatic nitroduction to the Giro d’Italia
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 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
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
When the Badger backed down: Bernard Hinault’s controversial withdrawal (Tour de France1980)
In the pantheon of cycling legends, few names carry the ferocious weight of Bernard Hinault. Known as “Le… Read More »When the Badger backed down: Bernard Hinault’s controversial withdrawal (Tour de France1980)
Five “what-if” moments from the history of Tour de France
The Tour de France is more than just a race—it’s a living drama played out on two wheels,… Read More »Five “what-if” moments from the history of Tour de France
FACES FROM THE GIRO D’ITALIA PELOTON
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
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
Learn about the cyclist who won the Giro d’Italia during Alfredo Binda’s absence
Alfredo Binda’s story about having been paid to skip the Giro d’Italia in 1930 is pretty well known… Read More »Learn about the cyclist who won the Giro d’Italia during Alfredo Binda’s absence
VINTAGE IMAGE OF THE DAY
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)
The battle on Puy de Dôme: Raymond Poulidor’s closest chance at Tour de France glory
The world of road cycling often celebrates the second-place riders as much, if not more, than the winners.… Read More »The battle on Puy de Dôme: Raymond Poulidor’s closest chance at Tour de France glory
MOST POPULAR STORIES
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
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)
The battle on Puy de Dôme: Raymond Poulidor’s closest chance at Tour de France glory
The world of road cycling often celebrates the second-place riders as much, if not more, than the winners.… Read More »The battle on Puy de Dôme: Raymond Poulidor’s closest chance at Tour de France glory
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
10 most thrilling Pyrenees stages of the Tour de France in the 20th century
Long before GPS maps and power meters, the Pyrenees were the Tour de France’s wild frontier — a… Read More »10 most thrilling Pyrenees stages of the Tour de France in the 20th century
Gino Bartali’s five most memorable Tour de France stage wins
Gino Bartali is remembered not only as one of the greatest climbers in cycling history, but also as… Read More »Gino Bartali’s five most memorable Tour de France stage wins
10 most thrilling Pyrenees stages of the Tour de France in the 20th century
Long before GPS maps and power meters, the Pyrenees were the Tour de France’s wild frontier — a… Read More »10 most thrilling Pyrenees stages of the Tour de France in the 20th century
When the Badger backed down: Bernard Hinault’s controversial withdrawal (Tour de France1980)
In the pantheon of cycling legends, few names carry the ferocious weight of Bernard Hinault. Known as “Le… Read More »When the Badger backed down: Bernard Hinault’s controversial withdrawal (Tour de France1980)
Vintage Cycling Stories is member of PelotonTales blogfamily, blogs about road cycling past present (and future) from culturlp historical point of view.