In the 1946 Giro d’Italia, a new jersey has been introduced: The “Maglia Nera” (black jersey). It was awarded as a symbolic prize given to the last man to finish the race within the time limit.
But why the jersey was black? The riders chose the black because it was the color of the jersey worn by the soccer player Giuseppe Ticozzelli.
The peloton has climbed 1.9 km long and up to 29% (according to exact measurements) steep Mirador de Ézaro along the way at Vuelta a España 2013 stage 4. Some of the riders have dismounted and climbed on foot.
1924 Giro d’Italia was very extraordinary. Because, Alfonsina Strada participated in that year’s Giro d’Italia, and became the only woman to have ridden one of cycling’s three 3-week grand tours.
David Millar, the 36-year-old Scottish rider of Team Garmin-Sharp gave some quick tips about how to watch a cycling race live without putting in danger both the riders and themselves. He tweeted four tips on his Twitter account, @millarmind. He said to the cycling fans that “I’ll be standing there with you soon”.
In the 1967 Tour de France, Tom Simpson, one of the greatest cyclists from Great Britain, has died while climbing Mont Ventoux, the “Giant of Provence”.
The first Tour de France was held in 1903, and the overall winner was Maurice Garin (3 March 1871, Arvier, Aosta Valley, Italy – 19 February 1957, Lens or Haute-Savoie, France). His bicycle, a La Française was the first bike to win the Tour de France.
I finished reading “Maglia Rosa – Triumph and Tragedy at the Giro d’Italia” by Herbie Sykes. Now it’s Tour de France time, and I started to reading “Slaying the Badger” by Richard Moore.
Four cyclists have died during the Giro d’Italia: Orfeo Ponsin (a.k.a. Orfeo Ponzin) (1952), Juan Manuel Santisteban (a.k.a. Juan Manuel Santiesteban) (1976), Emilio Ravasio (1986), and Wouter Weylandt (2011).
Giovanni Rossignoli was the hidden winner of two Giri d’Italia. He never won the Italian grand tour, but, in fact, he was the fastest finisher – twice.
I finished reading “Put me back on my bike” by William Fotheringham, and now started a new book: “Maglia Rosa – Triumph and Tragedy at Giro d’Italia”, by Herbie Sykes. A great book about the history of the Giro d’Italia.