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Fausto Coppi
Becoming the first cyclist to win the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France in the same year.
Five Giros · Two Tours
- Born
- 15 September 1919
- Birthplace
- Castellania, Italy
- Died
- 2 January 1960
More people
Fausto Coppi
Fausto Coppi was an Italian cyclist whose climbing and time-trialling earned him the nickname Il Campionissimo. His rivalry with Gino Bartali helped define a golden era of road racing.
Early life
Rural childhood
Grew up in Castellania and left school to work as a butcher’s delivery boy.
Learning to race
His delivery work gave him time on the bicycle before he began amateur racing.
Career
- 1940
Legnano team
Turned professional and won the Giro d’Italia at 20.
- 1943–1945
War interruption
Was taken prisoner during military service in North Africa before returning to Italy.
- 1946
Bianchi
Joined Bianchi and rebuilt his racing career after the war.
- 1953
World champion
Won the professional road world championship in Lugano.
Achievements
Five Giros
Won the Giro d’Italia five times.
Two Tours
Won the Tour de France twice, completing a Giro–Tour double each time.
Rainbow jersey
Won the road world title with a solo attack.
Beyond sport
Family loss
His younger brother and fellow cyclist Serse died after a racing crash in 1951.
Mountain memorial
The highest point of each Giro is named the Cima Coppi in his honour.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Giro d’Italia — Coppi’s first victory ↗Photo: J.D. Noske (Anefo). CC BY-SA 3.0 nl · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
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