'Il Campionissimo'

This year marks the 6oth Anniversary of Fausto Coppi becoming the first man to win the Giro de Italia and the Tour de France in the same year. As this is also the 100th Anniversary of the Giro, I'm sure that much will be made of the Italian's famous Double.

{'Champion of Champions'}

Hopefully, what is not lost is the famous rivalry between Coppi and Bartali. So fierce was the rivalry that at the 1949 World Championships, the same year as Coppi's double, both competitors climbed off their bikes during the race. Both riders refused to help each other, and neither crossed the finish line.

{Bartali left, Coppi right}

Belgium Knee Warmers has been posting some amazing stories as told by Bartali shortly after Coppi's death. They are a great insight into a great competitor, and his feelings towards his greatest adversary.

The first in their IV part series can be found here.