Corsa Rosa
A history of the Giro d'Italia
Published on 20. April 2017
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-1-4729-1880-2 (ISBN)
Description
The Giro d'Italia is the cooler, tougher brother of the Tour de France. First staged in 1909, and only pausing for two World Wars, its hundredth edition takes place in 2017.
Inspired by L'Auto's improved circulation figures after establishing France's Grand Tour, the Gazzetta dello Sport saw an opportunity to outdo its rival paper, the Corriere della Sera, by organising its own race. From its first years the Giro pushed riders to their limits with brutal climbs, treacherous road conditions, appalling weather and epic distances. Time has changed the Giro to a degree, but it remains as ferociously testing - and as beloved of cycling's romantics - as ever.
All the winners are covered: from the first victors Luigi Ganna and Carlo Galetti, to the likes of Alfredo Binda, Costante Girardengo and Gino Bartali, past the legends of Fausto Coppi and Eddy Merckx, on to Bernard Hinault, Miguel Indurain and Marco Pantani, and then right up to today's champions Vincenzo Nibali, Nairo Quintana and Alberto Contador. The history of the Giro is the history of cycling's superstars.
The battles for supremacy, the controversies and skulduggery, the fame and the glory, and the iconic stages all feature. In Corsa Rosa, Gallagher skillfully combines history, anecdote and analysis to bring this ultimate test of endurance vividly to life.
Inspired by L'Auto's improved circulation figures after establishing France's Grand Tour, the Gazzetta dello Sport saw an opportunity to outdo its rival paper, the Corriere della Sera, by organising its own race. From its first years the Giro pushed riders to their limits with brutal climbs, treacherous road conditions, appalling weather and epic distances. Time has changed the Giro to a degree, but it remains as ferociously testing - and as beloved of cycling's romantics - as ever.
All the winners are covered: from the first victors Luigi Ganna and Carlo Galetti, to the likes of Alfredo Binda, Costante Girardengo and Gino Bartali, past the legends of Fausto Coppi and Eddy Merckx, on to Bernard Hinault, Miguel Indurain and Marco Pantani, and then right up to today's champions Vincenzo Nibali, Nairo Quintana and Alberto Contador. The history of the Giro is the history of cycling's superstars.
The battles for supremacy, the controversies and skulduggery, the fame and the glory, and the iconic stages all feature. In Corsa Rosa, Gallagher skillfully combines history, anecdote and analysis to bring this ultimate test of endurance vividly to life.
Reviews / Votes
This is a super book. Filled with facts, figures and lots of wonderful stories and anecdotes. It has been exceptionally well written by an experienced journalist. It should be on every bike racing fan's must read list. * FreeWheelingFrance.com * Corsa Rosa is an impressive book; well-researched and comprehensive ... Brendan Gallagher has done himself and the Giro proud. * washingmachinepost * Looking at its legendary stars from Gino Bartali to Marco Pantani and Vincenzo Nibali, backed up by extensive lists and facts. * Bikes Etc *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Product notice
Paperback (UK-trade)
Illustrations
1 x 16 page colour section
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 153 mm
Weight
511 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4729-1880-2 (9781472918802)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
04/2017
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Sport
€14.49
Available for download
Person
Brendan Gallagher is a sports journalist and writer on cycling and rugby. He has written numerous books, including In Pursuit of Glory with Bradley Wiggins. He lives in Sussex. @gallagherbren
Content
Introduction
1 'Necessity', The Mother of Invention. Origins of the Giro d'Italia
2 An Evolving Race Makes its Mark (1909-13)
3 1914: The Toughest Bike Race in History?
4 Constante Girardengo and the Giro's First Golden Age (1919-25)
5 The Despotic Reign of Alfredo Binda (1925-33)
6 Gino Bartali Dominance is Challenged by Fausto Coppi (1934-40)
7 Fausto Coppi Takes on All Corners (1946-53)
8 A Race for All Shapes, Sizes and Nationalities (1954-66)
9 Eddy Merckx Rewrites the Record Books (1967-76)
10 Nothing and Nobody Can Outfox 'the Badger' (1977-86)
11 Stephen Roche Survives 'Civil War' to Win the Tour and Giro (1987-91)
12 'Big Mig' and the Rise of the Marco Pantani (1992-8)
13 Pantani Expulsion Heralds Dark Days (1999-2007)
14 Still Crazy After All Those Years. The Modern-Day Giro (2008-15)
15 Giro d'Italia - Bringing Up the Century
Appendix
Bibliography
Acknowledgements
Index
1 'Necessity', The Mother of Invention. Origins of the Giro d'Italia
2 An Evolving Race Makes its Mark (1909-13)
3 1914: The Toughest Bike Race in History?
4 Constante Girardengo and the Giro's First Golden Age (1919-25)
5 The Despotic Reign of Alfredo Binda (1925-33)
6 Gino Bartali Dominance is Challenged by Fausto Coppi (1934-40)
7 Fausto Coppi Takes on All Corners (1946-53)
8 A Race for All Shapes, Sizes and Nationalities (1954-66)
9 Eddy Merckx Rewrites the Record Books (1967-76)
10 Nothing and Nobody Can Outfox 'the Badger' (1977-86)
11 Stephen Roche Survives 'Civil War' to Win the Tour and Giro (1987-91)
12 'Big Mig' and the Rise of the Marco Pantani (1992-8)
13 Pantani Expulsion Heralds Dark Days (1999-2007)
14 Still Crazy After All Those Years. The Modern-Day Giro (2008-15)
15 Giro d'Italia - Bringing Up the Century
Appendix
Bibliography
Acknowledgements
Index