History of the Giro d'Italia

The Giro d'Italia is Italy's most prestigious stage race and, alongside the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España, one of the three Grand Tours in professional road cycling. The history of this traditional race is marked by outstanding athletic performances, dramatic turns and legendary riders who made the Pink Jersey one of the most coveted trophies in cycling.

The Beginnings (1909-1920)

Foundation by La Gazzetta dello Sport

The birth of the Giro d'Italia in 1909 was closely linked to the Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport. Following the example of the Tour de France, which had been successfully organized by the French sports newspaper L'Auto since 1903, the Italian newspaper wanted to create its own prestigious cycling race. Journalist Armando Cougnet developed the concept for a tour through Italy that would offer both sporting challenges and media attention.

The first edition in 1909:

• Start: May 13, 1909 in Milan
• Stages: 8 stages covering 2,448 kilometers
• Participants: 127 starters, 49 finishers
• Winner: Luigi Ganna with over 37 minutes lead
• Special feature: Extremely long stages (up to 430 km)

The early editions of the Giro were marked by extreme conditions. The routes led over unpaved roads, gravel paths and steep mountain passes. Riders often had to repair their bikes themselves and fought against exhaustion, bad weather and technical defects.

Pioneers of the Early Years

Significant winners of the early period:

The Interwar Period (1920-1939)

The Pink Jersey is Introduced

In 1931, the legendary Maglia Rosa (Pink Jersey) was officially introduced. The pink color was a tribute to the sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, which was printed on pink paper. The Pink Jersey quickly became one of the most symbolic garments in cycling and has since represented the lead in the general classification.

Developments in the 1920s and 1930s:

1. Route expansion: Total distance grew to over 3,000 kilometers
2. International participation: First foreign riders participate
3. Mountain classification: Introduction of mountain prizes for pass crossings
4. Media significance: Radio broadcasts increase popularity
5. National heroes: Italian champions dominate the race

Legendary Riders of the Era

Alfredo Binda established himself as the first superstar of the Giro d'Italia. The Italian won the overall classification five times between 1925 and 1933, defining an entire era. His dominance was so overwhelming that the organizers even offered him money in 1930 not to participate in the race – they feared his certain victory would make the race too boring.

Other legends:

• Costante Girardengo: 2 overall victories (1919, 1923), 30 stage wins
• Giovanni Brunero: 3 overall victories (1921, 1922, 1926)
• Learco Guerra: Known for spectacular solo breakaways

Post-War Period and Golden Era (1946-1960)

Restart After World War II

After a six-year interruption (1941-1945), the first post-war edition of the Giro d'Italia took place in 1946. War-torn Italy longed for normality and heroes – the Giro offered both. The races of this era were marked by harsh conditions, damaged infrastructure and strong national sentiment.

The Campionissimi

The 1940s and 1950s are referred to as the Golden Era of the Giro. This period produced some of the greatest cycling legends:

Fausto Coppi – Il Campionissimo:

The greatest Italian cyclist of all time dominated the Giro in the late 1940s and early 1950s. His duels with Gino Bartali captivated all of Italy and transcended pure sport – they also symbolized political and social contrasts.

Internationalization

From the mid-1950s, the Giro increasingly opened up to foreign riders. Luxembourg's Charly Gaul won in 1956 and 1959, Frenchman Jacques Anquetil triumphed in 1960 and 1964. This internationalization increased the prestige of the race and made it a true major event in world cycling.

The Modern Era (1960-1990)

Eddy Merckx – The Cannibal

The 1960s and 1970s were dominated by Belgian exceptional talent Eddy Merckx. His nickname "The Cannibal" perfectly described his insatiable hunger for victory. Merckx won the Giro five times (1968, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974) and set numerous records, some of which still stand today.

Merckx's dominance in numbers:

• 5 overall victories (record shared with Coppi and Hinault)
• 25 stage wins at the Giro
• 78 days in the Pink Jersey
• 3x the Giro-Tour Double (1970, 1972, 1974)

Italian Renaissance

After the Merckx era, Italian riders returned to the top:

Giuseppe Saronni (overall victories 1979, 1983) and Francesco Moser (1984) thrilled the Tifosi. Moser in particular provided one of the most spectacular editions in Giro history in 1984, when he defeated his great rival Laurent Fignon in the final time trial and won with just a 1:06 minute lead.

Bernard Hinault – The Badger

Frenchman Bernard Hinault, nicknamed "Le Blaireau" (The Badger), won the Giro three times (1980, 1982, 1985) and established himself as one of the most complete riders of his generation. His aggressive riding style and unbridled will to win made him a crowd favorite.

Era of Climbing Specialists (1990-2010)

The Mountain Kings

The 1990s and early 2000s were marked by riders who specialized in the queen stages in the Alps and Dolomites.

Marco Pantani – Il Pirata:

The charismatic Italian with the distinctive bandana became the symbol of an entire generation. His victory at the Giro in 1998, followed by the Tour triumph in the same year, made him a legend. Pantani's tragic death in 2004 shook the cycling world.

Other climbing specialists:

1. Miguel Indurain (2 victories: 1992, 1993)
2. Ivan Gotti (2 victories: 1997, 1999)
3. Gilberto Simoni (2 victories: 2001, 2003)
4. Damiano Cunego (victory: 2004)

Controversies and Doping Scandals

The late 1990s and early 2000s were overshadowed by numerous doping scandals. The Festina affair in 1998 and later Operation Puerto shook cycling. Several Giro winners were subsequently convicted or banned, plunging the race into a crisis of confidence.

Modern Times (2010-Today)

New Generation of Champions

Alberto Contador shaped the early 2010s with two overall victories (2008, 2015). His aggressive riding style and spectacular attacks made him a crowd favorite.

Chris Froome, the dominator of the Tour de France, won his only Giro in 2018 – though under great pressure due to a positive doping test that was later clarified.

Vincenzo Nibali, the "Shark of Messina", brought the Giro triumph back to Italy in 2013 and 2016 and thrilled the Tifosi with his bold riding style.

The Pogačar Era

Tadej Pogačar ushered in a new era from 2024. The Slovenian won his first Giro in 2024 with overwhelming dominance and showed that a new generation is ready to dominate the Grand Tours.

Current developments:

• Media innovation: Live broadcasts, onboard cameras, social media
• Route variations: Starts abroad (e.g., Israel 2018, Hungary 2022)
• Women's Giro: Reintroduction of the Giro d'Italia Femminile
• Technology: Power meter data, aerodynamics, electronic shifting
• Globalization: More international teams and riders

Statistics and Records

The Most Successful Riders

Significant Milestones

Checklist: Important developments in Giro history

• 1909 – First edition with 127 starters
• 1931 – Introduction of the Pink Jersey (Maglia Rosa)
• 1933 – First live radio broadcast
• 1949 – Coppi wins Giro and Tour in the same year
• 1956 – First foreign winner (Charly Gaul, LUX)
• 1984 – Spectacular finale Moser vs. Fignon
• 1998 – Pantani achieves the Giro-Tour Double
• 2007 – Introduction of the mountain classification "Cima Coppi"
• 2018 – Start in Israel (first time outside Europe)
• 2024 – Pogačar dominates with record lead

Cultural Significance

The Giro d'Italia is more than just a cycling race – it is a cultural event of national significance for Italy. The "Corsa Rosa" (Pink Race) unites sport, tradition, landscape and Italian way of life. The spectators along the route, the Tifosi, create a unique atmosphere that distinguishes the Giro from other Grand Tours.

Special features of the Giro:

• Landscape diversity: From the Alps through Tuscany to Sicily
• Emotional intensity: Passionate fans along the route
• Unpredictability: Weather, route design and tactics create drama
• National identity: The Giro is part of Italian DNA
• Pink Jersey: One of the most coveted garments in cycling