Franco Bitossi
Encyclopedia
Franco Bitossi is an Italian
former professional cyclist. He was born in Camaioni di Carmignano.
Bitossi cycled for three years as an amateur and became a professional in October 1961, after he had reached the required age of 21. As a professional cyclist, from 1961 until 1978, he won a total of 171 races.
In 1965 he won the Tour de Suisse
and the Züri-Metzgete, which he won again in 1968. In 1967 he won the Tirreno–Adriatico, Giro di Lombardia and Coppa Agostoni, while the following year he became the first Italian to win the points classification in the Tour de France
.
In 1970, he won the Italian championship.
In 1972 he became famous for his near victory at the World Championship
in Gap, France
, where he was beaten by only a few meters by his teammate Marino Basso
.
Four years later, in 1978, he won the Italian Championship again.
Bitossi was nicknamed Cuore matto ("Crazy heart") due to a cardiac arrythmia which often compelled him to stop midway in a stage.
- list of races a rider has won:
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1976
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
former professional cyclist. He was born in Camaioni di Carmignano.
Bitossi cycled for three years as an amateur and became a professional in October 1961, after he had reached the required age of 21. As a professional cyclist, from 1961 until 1978, he won a total of 171 races.
In 1965 he won the Tour de Suisse
Tour de Suisse
The Tour de Suisse is a UCI World Tour stage race held annually in June. The race debuted in 1933 and has evolved in timing, duration and sponsorship. With the Critérium du Dauphiné, it is a proving ground for the Tour de France, and part of the UCI World Ranking calendar...
and the Züri-Metzgete, which he won again in 1968. In 1967 he won the Tirreno–Adriatico, Giro di Lombardia and Coppa Agostoni, while the following year he became the first Italian to win the points classification in the Tour de France
Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
.
In 1970, he won the Italian championship.
In 1972 he became famous for his near victory at the World Championship
UCI Road World Championships
The UCI Road World Championships are the annual world championships for bicycle road racing organized by the Union Cycliste Internationale...
in Gap, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, where he was beaten by only a few meters by his teammate Marino Basso
Marino Basso
Marino Basso is an Italian former professional road racing cyclist, who won the World Cycling Championship in 1972.Basso was born at Rettorgole di Caldogno, in the Veneto...
.
Four years later, in 1978, he won the Italian Championship again.
Bitossi was nicknamed Cuore matto ("Crazy heart") due to a cardiac arrythmia which often compelled him to stop midway in a stage.
Palmarès
The following is an excerpt from Bitossi's palmarèsPalmares
Palmares may refer to:*Palmares, Pernambuco, a municipality in the state of Pernambuco in Brazil*Palmares Paulista*Palmares Canton, a canton in the province of Alajuela in Costa Rica...
- list of races a rider has won:
1964
- Giro d'Italia1964 Giro d'ItaliaThe 1964 Giro d'Italia of cycling, 47th edition of the Corsa Rosa, was held from 16 May to 7 June 1964. It consisted of 22 stages and was won by Jacques Anquetil.- Final placings:- Maglia rosa holders:...
:- Mountains classificationMountains classification in the Giro d'ItaliaThe mountains classification in the Giro d'Italia is a secondary classification. In this classification, points are awarded to the leading riders over designated climbs. Most climbs are sorted into one of three scales based on difficulty and its position on that day's stage...
- Mountains classification
1965
- Tour de SuisseTour de SuisseThe Tour de Suisse is a UCI World Tour stage race held annually in June. The race debuted in 1933 and has evolved in timing, duration and sponsorship. With the Critérium du Dauphiné, it is a proving ground for the Tour de France, and part of the UCI World Ranking calendar...
- Züri-Metzgete
- Giro d'Italia1966 Giro d'ItaliaThe 1966 Giro d'Italia of cycling, 49th edition of the Corsa Rosa, was held from 18 May to 8 June 1966. It consisted of 22 stages and was won by Gianni Motta.The points classification was introduced in this edition.- Final classment:...
:- Mountains classification
1966
- Giro d'Italia1966 Giro d'ItaliaThe 1966 Giro d'Italia of cycling, 49th edition of the Corsa Rosa, was held from 18 May to 8 June 1966. It consisted of 22 stages and was won by Gianni Motta.The points classification was introduced in this edition.- Final classment:...
:- Mountains classification
- Tour de France1966 Tour de FranceThe 1966 Tour de France was the 53rd Tour de France, taking place June 21 to July 14, 1966. It consisted of 22 stages over 4303 km, ridden at an average speed of 36.760 km/h....
:- Winner stages 5 and 17
1967
- Tirreno–Adriatico
- Giro di Lombardia
- Coppa Agostoni
1968
- Züri-Metzgete
- Tour de France1968 Tour de FranceThe 1968 Tour de France was the 55th Tour de France, taking place June 27 to July 21, 1968. It consisted of 22 stages over 4684.8 km, ridden at an average speed of 34.894 km/h...
:
Points classificationPoints classification in the Tour de FranceThe points classification in the Tour de France is a secondary competition in the Tour de France, that started in 1953. Points are given for high finishes in a stage and for winning intermediate sprints, and these are recorded in a points classification. It is considered a sprinters' competition...- Combination classification
- Winner stages 7 and 16
1969
- Giro d'Italia1969 Giro d'ItaliaThe 1969 Giro d'Italia of cycling, 52nd edition of the Corsa Rosa, was held from 16 May to 8 June 1969. It consisted of 23 stages and was won by Felice Gimondi....
:
Points classification
- Coppa Agostoni
1970
Italian National Road Race Championships- Giro d'Italia1970 Giro d'ItaliaThe 1970 Giro d'Italia of cycling, 53rd edition of the Corsa Rosa, was held from 18 May to 7 June 1970. It consisted of 20 stages and was won by Eddy Merckx.-General classification:The top ten of the general classification:- Pink jersey holders:...
:- Points classification
- Giro di Lombardia
- Volta a Catalunya
1971
- Coppa Agostoni
1976
- Italian National Road Race Championships