Torelli Oral Histories

I've started collecting the memories of those who have been involved in racing. Most racers have had the same questions asked of them a thousand times. But since they are printed in a magazine or newspaper, they disappear except for a few archives or attics of enthusiasts. By leaving them here on the web, they have a semi-permanent quality and are accessible to anyone anytime. Some are links to interviews embedded in other documents, others are stand-alone pages.

Ferdy Kubler, winner of the 1950 Tour de France, writes us a note about the race

Fiorenzo Magni won Flanders and the Giro each 3 times. Also, he famously walked out of the 1950 Tour while wearing Yellow. Now 80, Signor Magni graciously gave us a revealing interview.

Brian Robinson was the first British rider to both finish the Tour and win a Tour stage. But he was much more than a pioneer, he was a truly fine rider who raced and beat the greats of the 1950s.

Celestino Vercelli rode for some of the most imporant teams of the 1960's and 1970s: Sanson, SCIC and Brooklyn. He completed 5 Giri d'Italia and 2 Tours de France. He discusses his career as an in-demand domestique in detail.

Franco Bitossi won 147 pro races including the 1968 Tour de France Points, 3-times Giro d'Italia King of the Mountains and the Giro Sprinters' competition. One of the most complete riders to have ever turned a pedal.

Felice Gimondi talks at length to Valeria Paoletti about his 1965 Tour win and the Barcelona Worlds

Pietro Piazzalunga was the "Merckx of Wrenches" (I'm sure he would prefer we said the Gimondi of mechanics). We talked to the man who was mechanic to many of the most important teams and riders from the 1960's to the 1990's.

Bill Kund was one of the first Americans to try his hand racing as a pro in Europe. It was tough!

Cino Cinelli and David Herlihy spent an afternoon in Tuscany in the fall of 1986 talking about Cinelli's racing career and his famous bicycle company.

Andy Hampsten on the 1986 Tour de France. This Tour was tense with the rivalry between teammates Hinault and Lemond.

Greg LeMond not only won the big ones, he changed the face of professional cycling. Here's the first installment of our interview that will cover his entire career.

Gianni Bugno talks to Valeria Paoletti about his career

Frankie Andreu explains the 1992 Tour de France