Eddy Merckx and the Granfondo Eddy Merckx

I always enjoy listening to Eddy Merckx speaking Italian. In this video, interspersed with images from the Granfondo Eddy Merckx, Merckx mentions, "During my career I was not often called the 'Cannibal". What name that is given to you is not important. What is important is to win races."
"

More details about the Granfondo Eddy Merckx, and another video showing the beauty of this area, near Verona, in which the granfondo takes place appeared previously in this entry here.

In summary, the Granfondo Eddy Merckx, will be held on June 13th, 2010. It is also part of the Challenge Giordana series which includes these five granfondos, all in the Veneto region:
GF Liotto di Valdagno (VI), 11 April
GF Lazise (VR), 18 April
GF Fizik (VI), 1 May
GF Cunego (VR), 6 June
GF Eddy Merckx a Rivalta di Brentino (VR), 13 June.

Event website: http://www.granfondoeddymerckx.com/

Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondo, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are very welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 1,100 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog and there is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.

Additions to Museo del Ciclismo, Madonna del Ghisallo

Two new displays were inaugurated on November 28, 2009, at the Museo del Ciclismo, Madonna del Ghisallo.

Mary Cressari has donated her Mexico City hour record jersey, as well as her bike used in that exploit. Cressari established a women's new hour record 1972 in Mexico City in the Olympic Velodrome. Her average speed was 41.471 kph (25.7 mph). The record stood for six years.

A collection of Eddy Merckx's jerseys was also unveiled.


Photo: Maria Cressari during a road race; Eddy Merckx at the museum (archive photo) with Gimondi (L) and Magni (R).

Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal welcome; contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 1,100 stories in this blog; the search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog.

Eddy Merckx's "Farewell Tullio"

Speech delivered by Eddie Merckx at Tullio Campagnolo's Funeral at Vicenza, February 3, 1983.


"Dear Commendatore Campagnolo, on behalf of the cyclists of all the world, of those known or unknown, I address to you from the square of this church a touched good-bye. You deserve to belong to our life's memories because, rider like us, you have known before us our fatigue and
you have helped us.


You have done it with generous intelligence that was the fruit of your goodness as a man and as entrepreneur. You have been the most faithful and precious of our helpers. You have arrived first for seven time, with me, to the goal of the Milano/Sanremo; you were with me under the snow the day I was climbing victorious, the road of the "Tre Cime di Lavaredo." I shared with
you every success.


In telling you good-bye in the name of all the presents and of those who regret not being here, I wish to repeat an act of faith heard in this church. You will remain with us, riders of all ages and of all classes, as a dear and unforgettable road fellow. A good friend.


I tell it to you in a bad Italian, maybe, but with an Italian heart because, thanks to you, there is a piece of Italy with your name on all the bicycles of the world. Your memory will remain always with us.



Good-bye."


Stories, including cycling trip stories, for the Italian Cycling Journal welcome; contact veronaman@gmail.com

A Merckx Era Italian Ex-Pro in Sacramento

In its coverage of the Tour of California the Gazzetta dello Sport had the wonderful story of Giuseppe Ciccarelli (above, and 3rd fom left in second photo). The story takes place at the BIBA Restaurant in Sacramento the city where the Tour of California started Saturday with a prologue.

Here Mr. Ciccarelli, originally from San Remo, works as waiter. He reveals that he was a "gregario" (domestique), some 30 Kgs (66 pounds) and 40 years ago, for two seasons in 1969 and 1970 and rode in two Giro D'Italia on the Molteni team with Eddy Merckx.

He tells his stories by beginning with, "In my time....."

"In my time we wore wool jerseys that when rain soaked would drag against the rear wheel which is why we would put the water bottle in the front jersey pocket."

"In my time we would mix five espressos, a little bit of cognac, and a tablespoon of sugar in a glass bottle for psychological boost."

"Do you remember the Savona stage of the Giro when the "Cannibale" (Eddy Merckx) tested positive? In my time I knew him well, he didn't take anything. Remember that in those days if a rider could not get replenishment from the team car they would take a bottles from fans. I believe there was something in one of those bottles."

"In my time they unloaded me from the team after two years, after making promises that were never kept."

"I became a waiter on a ship, fell in love, and disembarked in San Francisco in 1975. Later I came to Sacramento. I'll go back to visit Italy when I am 62 years old."

Concluding his story, Mr. Ciccarelli said, "I will not be going to see the prologue today because it would be too nostalgic."

(ed. note: if I visit Sacramento I'll definitely be heading to BIBA Restaurant, 2801 Capitol Avenue, http://www.biba-restaurant.com/, to enjoy an Italian dinner and good cycling stories.)



Photos: from Gazzetta dello Sport story; from BIBA website showing also Ms. Biba Caggiano, 2nd left, who was born in Bologna and opened the BIBA Restaurant in 1986.

Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal welcome; contact veronaman@gmail.com

Me and ......WHO??? Milan, EICMA, 2006 Part I

On September 15th Eros Poli, Paolo from Chesini and I headed to Milan from Verona. The occasion was the very big international EICMA bike show.

It was a surreal experience. Here I was meeting Eddy Merckx, Felice Gimondi, me and ....WHO??, the Pinarello and DeRosa families, and some friendly representatives. It was over the top!