Fiorenzo Magni Photo Gallery
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Fiorenzo Magni (December 7, 1920 - October 19, 2012) was a tough rider and skilled tactician who could ride and win in the most appalling conditions. Racing in the 1940s and early 50s he was somewhat over-shadowed by Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi, earning him the nickname of "Third Man". In any era he would have been great, his winning the Giro d'Italia, Tour of Flanders and Italian road Championships each three times speaks eloquently of his abilities.
He was forced to quit the 1950 Tour de France while in the lead by a selfish and grumpy Gino Bartali who felt he had been mistreated by fans after crashing. Yet Magni had not an ill-word to so say about the episode. His second place in the 1956 Giro d'Italia with two broken bones (at one point he passed out from the pain) was a calvary perhaps no other rider has endured.
He also revolutionized professional cycling by becoming the first major racer to be sponsored by a non-cycling (or extra-sportif) company in 1954. Bike maker Ganna couldn't afford its team so Magni went to the Nivea face cream company for team financing.
They don't make racers like Magni any more.
BikeRaceInfo.com interview with Fiorenzo Magni
Nicknames: The Lion of Flanders, The Third Man, The White Wolf, The Colossus of Monza, The Powerhouse of Monza, The Tuscan Flandrian
Professional career: 1940-1945, 1947-1956
Major victories:
Giro d'Italia: 1948, 1951, 1955
Tour of Flanders (Ronde van Vlaanderen): 1949, 1950, 1951
Italian Road Championship: 1951, 1953, 1954
1942: Giro del Piemonte
1947: Tre Valli Varesine
1949: Giro della Toscana, Trofeo Baracchi
1950: Trofeo Baracchi
1951: Giro del Lazio, Giro di Romagna, Milano-Torino, Trofeo Baracchi
1952: Two Tour de France stage victories
1953: Giro del Piemonte, Giro del Veneto
1954: Giro della Toscana
1955: Giro di Romagna, 3 Vuelta a España stage victories
1956: Giro del Piemonte, Giro del Lazio
Professional teams:
1938: Wolsit-Binda
1940-1943: Bianchi
1944: Monzese Pedale
1945: Ricci
1947: Viscontea
1948-1950: Wilier-Triestina
1951-1953: Ganna
1954-1956: Nivea-Fuchs
Photos:
The iconic picture of Fiorenzo Magni in the 1956 Giro d'Italia. He has a broken clavicle and can't pull on the bars. At the suggestion of Falerio Masi he gripped a length of tube attached to his bars in his teeth for more leverage.
Another shot of Magni in the stage 15 time trial of the 1956 Giro d'Italia.
Magni racing (and perhaps winning) on cobbles in northern Europe. Could be Tour of Flanders.
I'm guessing this is Tour of Flanders as well.
1948 Giro d'Italia: Mangi gets help from Edidio Feruglio repairing a flat.
1948 Giro: Magni climbs the high mountains in pink.
1950 Tour de France: Magni packs his yellow jersey prior to abandoning at the behest of Gino Bartali. Note Henri Degrange's initials on the jersey. He doesn't look happy.
Magni climbing, circa 1951 - 1953
Magni celebrates his 1951 Giro d'Italia championship with a lap on the Vigorelli.
Magni wins a race in France or Belgium
Undated photo of Magni
Magni on the drops punching a big gear.
He's in a break, but I don't know when, where or with whom.
Magni in the Italian champion's jersey. Might be 1953.
The three great men of Italian cycling: Fiorenzo Magni, Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi
Magni in an undated photo
Probably 1955: Fausto Coppi follows Fiorenzo Magni
Probably part of the same ride as above, Coppi and Magni. I'm guessing these are scenes from their famous break in the 1955 Giro d'Italia.
1955 Giro d'Italia: Fausto Coppi (winner of the final stage and second in GC by 13 seconds) and overall winner Fiorenzo Magni on the Vigorelli.
Fiorenzo Magni getting a little help going up Monte Trebbio in the 1955 Giro Della Romagna
Behind the big motor
Magni wins a stage on a velodrome, circa 1954 - 1956
Their on the small ring, so they're climbing.
Magni was a skilled and fearless descender.
Magni with a Swiss rider
Magni leads on a steep climb.
He's just won something, he's got the bouquet.
This should be Magni on the Vigorelli after winning the 1955 Giro d'Italia
January, 2006: Magni in his office. Valeria Paoletti photo
Magni's office walls are covered with mementos of his historic career.
The 1955 Gazzetta dello Sport trumpeting Magni's 1955 Giro victory hanging in Magni's office. Valeria Paoletti photo
Magni's passion was a new cycling museum atop the Madonna del Ghisallo outside Milano. Here it is under construction. Valeria Paoletti photo