The Elegant Aristocrat

The Aristocrat.

In my opinion, Felice Gimondi is the finest Italian cyclist of the modern era. Felice Gimondi was elegance personified, as the complete Italian rider capable of winning all the important races. He took the sixties by storm, swinging in the swinging sixties. His 1960s palmares were electric: classics and 3 Grand Tours. During the early seventies he encountered, along with the rest of the peloton, a road block called Eddy Merckx. His wins declined but he returned to greatness in 1973. I recently discovered two nicknames that suits Gimondi to a T; The Aristocrat (elegant form on the bike) and The Buzzard of Bergamo (ruthlessness speed when he attacked). And, may I add... ll Campionissimo of the modern era.

Major Wins:

1965: Tour de France with 3 stage wins
1966: Paris Roubaix, Giro di Lombardia, Paris-Brussles, Coppa Agostini, Coppa Placci
1967: Giro d'Italia, Grand Prix de Nations, Giro del Lazio
1968: Vuelta a España, Grand Prix de Nations, Giro di Romagna (which was also the Italian road race championship), Criterium des As
1969: Giro d'Italia, Tour de Romandie, Giro dell'Appennino
1970: Trofeo Matteotti
1971: Tour de Romandie, Giro del Piemonte
1972 Gran Premio di Lugano, Volta a Catalunya, Geio dell'Appennino (which was also the Italian road race championship)
1973: World Road Championship, Giro del Piemonte, Giro di Lombardia, Trofeo Baracchi, Coppa Bernocchi, Giro di Puglia
1974: Milano-San Remo, Coppa Agostini
1976: Giro d'Italia, Paris-Brussels

Professional Teams: 1965-1972: Salvarani, 1973-1979: Bianchi. 158 Professional wins.