Fausto Coppi

Koblet and Coppi Giro d'Italia 1953

Fausto Coppi and Giulia Occhini 1954

Guilia Occhini, Fausto Coppi funeral

FaustoCoppi

Jersey pink

Fausto Coppi (15 September 1919 – 2 January 1960) was an Italian cyclist, widely regarded as one of the greatest road cyclists of all time. His career achievements include winning the Giro d'Italia five times and the Tour de France twice. Coppi was known for his climbing ability, time-trialling, and for being a pioneer in adopting new training and racing techniques. He was nicknamed "Il Campionissimo" ("The Champion of Champions") due to his extraordinary successes.

Early Life

Fausto Coppi was born in Castellania, a small town in the Piedmont region of Italy. He was the youngest of five children in a farming family. Coppi's interest in cycling began at an early age, and by the age of 13, he had already started racing. His talent was evident, and he quickly rose through the ranks of amateur cycling.

Professional Career

Coppi turned professional in 1940, at the age of 20. His career was interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the Italian army and was taken prisoner in North Africa. After the war, Coppi returned to cycling and went on to dominate the sport.

Major Victories

Coppi's list of achievements is extensive. He won the Giro d'Italia in 1940, 1947, 1949, 1952, and 1953. His victories in the Tour de France came in 1949 and 1952, making him the first cyclist to win the Giro-Tour double in the same year, a feat he accomplished twice. Coppi also won the World Cycling Championship in 1953, and he set the hour record in 1942, a record that stood for fourteen years.

In addition to his Grand Tour victories, Coppi won numerous one-day races and classics, including five victories in the Milan-San Remo and three in the Giro di Lombardia.

Rivalry with Gino Bartali

One of the most famous aspects of Coppi's career was his rivalry with fellow Italian cyclist Gino Bartali. The rivalry was not only a sporting one but also had cultural and political dimensions, dividing fans across Italy. Bartali, older and more conservative, was seen as representing rural, traditional Italy, while Coppi, more modern and secular, represented a new, forward-looking Italy. Their duels in races such as the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France captivated the nation and are remembered as some of the greatest moments in cycling history.

Personal Life

Coppi's personal life was marked by tragedy and controversy. His affair with Giulia Occhini, known as the "Lady in White," led to a public scandal in Catholic Italy of the 1950s. Coppi and Occhini eventually became a couple, but their relationship was marred by social ostracism and personal difficulties.

Death

Fausto Coppi died on 2 January 1960, at the age of 40, from malaria contracted during a hunting trip to Burkina Faso. His death marked the end of an era in cycling and he is remembered as one of the sport's greatest icons.

Legacy

Coppi's legacy in the world of cycling is immense. He is celebrated for his style, his sportsmanship, and his innovations in training and racing strategy. The Coppa Fausto Coppi, one of the most challenging Gran Fondos in Italy, is named in his honor, as are numerous streets and cycling paths across Italy.