One Hundred Years And Counting
By Cyclingnews Staff in Loria, Italy
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A century ago the new and exciting sport of racing bicycles had already captured the imagination of the mass public that craved sport with dynamic motion. Before auto racing, cycling filled that desire, but names like Petit-Breton, Gerbi, Faber and other champions are now lost in the mists of time. Races of the epoch such as Bordeaux-Paris and Paris-Brest are gone, too, but monuments to the indefatigable two-wheel sport, like Paris-Roubaix and Milano-Torino, still exist a century later. The tales of men racing ahead on their bicycles have only ceased since for two world wars, as names like Binda, Bottechia, Pelissier, Coppi, Bartali, Bobet, Anquetil, Merckx, Hinault, Indurain, Lemond and Armstrong have been inscribed in the legends of cycling.
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Thus the raison d'etre for the upcoming "100 Anni Di Corsa" exhibition held in Monza, Italy. Inspired by Giovanni Torriani, son of the late Giro d'Italia boss, this exhibit will celebrate a century of cycling through the bicycles, images and memorabilia of the great champions of cycling since 1903. Almost 100 bicycles will be on show, from the olden day's rides of Petit-Breton, Girardengno and Binda, to classic bikes from Coppi and Bartali, as well as the championship steeds of Gimondi and Merckx. Modern day riders will be well represented via bikes from Indurain, Ullrich, Pantani, Armstrong and current World Champion Mario Cippolini.
Click here for a special feature from the "100 Anni Di Corsa" exhibition, part of our Italia Bici 2003 coverage.
"100 Anni Di Corsa"
Bicycles and Images Of The Great Champions Of The History Of Cycling
Monza Palasport
21-31 March 2003
