In the rich and storied history of the Giro d’Italia, few moments shine as brightly—or as chillingly—as that fateful day in June 1953 when the Passo dello Stelvio made its stunning debut. Towering at 2,758 meters (9,048 feet), the Stelvio was not just a physical addition to the race; it was a new symbol of suffering, triumph, and cycling mythology. Its arrival marked a turning point—not only in that year’s Giro, but in the identity of the race itself.
The setting: Giro d’Italia 1953
The 1953 Giro was already compelling. The race was nearing its final days, and the general classification was led by the elegant Swiss rider Hugo Koblet—a man known as much for his charm and clean-shaven looks as for his fluid, almost effortless style on the bike. Koblet had worn the maglia rosa (pink jersey) for several stages and looked destined to become a two-time Giro champion.
In second place was the aging but revered Fausto Coppi. At 33 years old, Coppi was already a five-time Giro stage winner, a Tour de France victor, and one of Italy’s greatest sporting icons. But many believed his prime was over. His performances during that Giro had been strong, but not enough to close the time gap to Koblet.
Then came Stage 20, from Bolzano to Bormio. A relatively short stage of 125 kilometers, but with one key feature that would change everything: the first-ever inclusion of the Passo dello Stelvio.
The mountain itself: Passo dello Stelvio
The Stelvio is a monster. With 48 hairpin bends on its eastern side and brutal gradients averaging around 7.5%, it is not just a climb—it is an ordeal. The decision by race organizers to include the Stelvio was seen as both visionary and risky. The road was paved, but barely; snow lined the upper sections, and the thin air at altitude could cause havoc in even the fittest riders.
The stage had one purpose: to decide the Giro on the most epic scale possible.
The duel: Coppi vs. Koblet
As the riders approached the Stelvio, tension hung thick in the air. Koblet, serene as ever, looked in control. But Coppi, knowing this was his last chance, had different ideas. Early on the lower slopes of the climb, he attacked.
Koblet hesitated. Some say he was caught off guard; others argue he was struggling with the altitude. Whatever the case, he tried to chase but couldn’t hold Coppi’s wheel. The Italian legend climbed with determination, every pedal stroke a message: he was not done yet.
Snowbanks lined the road, the cold biting at the riders. But Coppi pressed on, alone, over the final switchbacks of the Stelvio. Crowds had lined the road to witness history—and history is what they got.
Coppi crested the summit first, taking the lead in spectacular fashion. Then came the treacherous descent into Bormio, where Coppi’s superior handling allowed him to gain even more time. He finished the stage victorious and had taken enough time to wrest the maglia rosa from Koblet.
The next day, in Milan, Coppi would finish the Giro as champion—his fifth and final overall victory.
The aftermath
The 1953 Giro d’Italia became an instant classic. Coppi’s triumph was hailed across Italy as a heroic comeback, and the Stelvio became immortalized as the mountain that turned legends into gods.
Since then, the Passo dello Stelvio has become a fixture in the race’s lore. It is often designated the “Cima Coppi”, the highest point in any Giro d’Italia edition, named in honor of the man who first conquered it in the pink jersey’s name.
It has been revisited many times—sometimes in bitter cold, other times under sunny skies—but always with reverence. For riders, it represents one of the greatest challenges in cycling. For fans, it is a cathedral of suffering and glory.