Italian cyclist Franco Bitossi, nicknamed “Crazy Heart” (“Cuore Matto”) due to a cardiac arrhythmia that often forced him to stop mid-race, was one of the most remarkable riders of his era. Born in 1940, Bitossi raced professionally from 1961 to 1978, earning a reputation as an aggressive, attack-oriented cyclist and a formidable climber.
Bitossi’s first major success came at Giro d’Italia 1964, where he won the King of the Mountains competition, claimed four stage victories, and finished 10th overall. Over the course of his career, he became a Giro legend, amassing 21 stage wins between 1964 and 1975. He won the mountains classification three times (1964, 1965, 1966) and the points classification twice (1969, 1970). His best overall finish at the Giro was 7th place, achieved in 1965 and 1970.
Bitossi also made his mark in the Tour de France, where he won four individual stages—two in 1966 and two in 1968. His standout performance came in 1968, when he claimed both the points classification and the combination classification while finishing 8th overall.
At the UCI Road World Championships, Bitossi came agonizingly close to victory in 1972, finishing second in a tightly contested race against compatriot Marino Basso. He also secured a bronze medal in 1977.
A two-time Monument winner, Bitossi triumphed in the Giro di Lombardia in 1967 and 1970. He also achieved victories in several multi-stage races, showcasing his versatility and endurance.
Bitossi’s final professional race was the Giro dell’Emilia in 1978, which coincidentally marked the last race for another cycling great, Felice Gimondi. Despite the challenges posed by his heart condition, Franco Bitossi left an indelible mark on the sport, remembered as one of its most courageous and talented competitors.