The Phoenix.

The haunting eyes & leg of 'The Phoenix' after a frigid stage of the Giro.



Felice Gimondi, nicknamed "The Phoenix," is one of five riders to ever win all three of the Grand Tours during a career. He even won the 1973 World Championships, placing second in 1971 and third in 1970. Classic-ally strong as he was, the 1966 Paris-Roubiax, the 1966, 1973 Giro di Lombardia & 1974 Milan-Sanremo was his victorious Monuments.

Always an elegant and superb rider in the time-trials, mountains, in all terrains he was one of the handful of talented rivals to ride in the deep shadow of Merckx. If it wasn't for the Cannibal, his palmares would be more amazing.

He was asked why he waited until he was 31 to win Milan Sanremo...

Gimondi replied, "Because Merckx had abandoned that day!"

Comments

Which is how Zoetemelk won HIS Tour - by default.