Francesco Moser at Gran Fondo Giro d'Italia, Pasadena, CA

Francesco Moser, one of the world’s most iconic riders of all times, will be attending the Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia Los Angeles-Pasadena on July 21 and 22, 2012.

Francesco Moser is a living legend of cycling: with an impressive record of 273 career victories, he is the third most winning professional in cycling history! Because of his strong presence in the peloton, he earned huge respect and was nicknamed “the sheriff.” He dominated the global cycling scene from the early ‘70s to the mid -80s.

Moser was an innovator in the sport, and one of the first to understand the importance of aerodynamics on the bicycle. In January 1984, he astonished the world by beating Eddy Merckx’s world hour record with an incredible 51.151 kilometers (31.78 miles), besting Merckx’s 12 year old record by 1.72 kilometers (1.07 miles)! Later in the same year, Moser won The Giro d’Italia, in a dramatic time trial final stage against French athlete Laurent Fignon, who was leading with 1’21”. He won the stage using his special aerodynamic time trial bicycle and took the overall title in the Giro, by 1’03” over Fignon. The time trial was memorable and redefined the standards of the sport. Moser’s success changed bicycle design dramatically, by proving that aerodynamic equipment such as disk wheels were a winning formula for races against the clock. In May of the same year, He won the final stage by a 1’03” lead, in a dramatic time trial against French athlete Laurent Fignon. In his career, he won two World Championship, one in the road race (1977) and one on the track (individual pursuit, 1976). His remarkable victories in the one day classics include three in a row at the grueling Paris-Roubaix race 1978-1979-1980), two Tours of Lombardy (1975 & 1978), Milano - San Remo (1984), Fleche Walloon (1977), Paris-Tours (1974), and Gent Wevelgem (1979).

Today the champion is enjoying la Dolce Vita and is a successful wine producer in his beloved region, Trentino (Italy). While keeping in shape with daily rides, Moser is now focused on his winery, Cantine Moser (www.cantinemoser.com), producer of superior wines including Gewuertztraminer, Muller Turgau, Moscato Giallo and especially a superior Spumante Trento DOC, branded “51.151” just like his epic world hour record time, which features a pink label, in honor of the Giro D’Italia winner’s jersey!

Francesco Moser will be in Pasadena to celebrate the inaugural Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia. In addition to starting the ride on Sunday morning, July 22, the champion will attend the VIP evening reception on Saturday, July 21 and will be available Saturday afternoon, July 21st, in the expo area to meet and greet fans and cycling enthusiasts. There will be photo and autograph opportunities. For additional information please visit: www.gfgiro.com.

Related story: Video of the recent opening of the Moser Museum


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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,500 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page .    

Museo Moser, Moser Museum

Coinciding with the 24th edition of the LA FRANCESCO MOSER this past Sunday, a 73 km annual ride with Francesco Moser, was the opening of the Museo Moser at the family vineyard of Maso Villa Warth in Gardolo (Trento). The museum is dedicated to the entire Moser family,nfrom Trento, which has a long and successful history in professional racing.

In 1973, brothers Diego, Aldo, Enzo and Francesco were all on the Filotex professional team.

Aldo Moser raced in 16 Giro d'Italia, highest placed as 5th in 1956 and wearing the pink jersey for two days. He was 3rd in the Tour di Suisse in 1962. He won the Grand Prix des Nations in 1959 in the TT, and won several races of that level.

Enzo Moser wore the pink jersey in the Giro d'Italia for two days in 1964.

Francesco Moser won the Giro d'Italia in 1984, won Paris-Roubaix three consecutive times (1978-1980), won the world road racing championship in San Cristobal, Venezuela in 1977, and in 1984, in Mexico City, Moser broke the famed 1972 hour record of Eddy Merckx.

Currently, Moreno Moser is riding for Liquigas-Cannondale.

Here is a peek of the museum, and the ride, by Gazzetta dello Sport (video is preceeded by promo):

The Moser family property occupies 25 hectares of which 10 are devoted to growing grapes. The central point of the property is the Maso Villa Warth. You can stop by to buy wines and arrangements can be made for groups to tour the vineyards of Maso Villa Warth, followed by a visit to the wine cellar and the barrels in which the wines are made. The visit terminates with a toast in the "Cantinetta".

The property also has an agriturismo with six apartments.

Having a glass of wine with Francesco Moser would be fun, wouldn't it?

Visit Moser's website at www.cantinemoser.com


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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,500 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page .  

The Moser Dynasty Continues

Victory in the prestigious 49° Trofeo Laigueglia went to 21 year old neo-pro Moreno Moser, the nephew of Francesco Moser. Moreno Moser recently joined Liquigas-Cannondale and participated in the December training camp.

Three kilometers on his own with his head down just thinking about pedaling harder and faster than the chase group to cross the line with his arms raised. This sums up the spectacular feat on Saturday, a feat that Francesco Moser himself never accomplished during his career having having finished 3rd in 1978, 1979 and 1980.

"If you’d asked me to bet on myself to win at the start, I wouldn’t have done it," said a beaming Moser. "To be honest, I wouldn’t have even done it two meters from the finish line: it was only when I raised my arms in the air that I realized I’d won. This is a dream come true: my first win, in Italy, and just how I wanted it to be. Racing as a finisseur is what I did best in the junior categories. I tried twice today: I went too early the first time, but the second was a winner, particular for the timing. The lead group was restless and I think lots of them were considering attacking. I didn’t calculate anything, I just went. I pushed as hard as I could and never looked back: it was right to have a go, either it would work or it wouldn’t. Which helped the most, legs or courage? I’d say legs, you never win without those. I’d add teammates to that as well: I couldn’t have done it without their work and support."

Last 10 minutes of the race:


The Moser family, from Trentino, has a long history of cycling success. In 1973, brothers Diego (Moreno's father), Aldo, Enzo and Francesco were all on the Filotex professional team.

Aldo Moser raced in 16 Giro d'Italia, highest placed as 5th in 1956 and wearing the pink jersey for two days. He was 3rd in the Tour di Suisse in 1962. He won the Grand Prix des Nations in 1959 in the TT, and won several races of that level.

Enzo Moser wore the pink jersey in the Giro d'Italia for two days in 1964.

Francesco Moser won the Giro d'Italia in 1984, won Paris-Roubaix three consecutive times (1978-1980), won the world road racing championship in San Cristobal, Venezuela in 1977, and in 1984, in Mexico City, Moser broke the famed 1972 hour record of Eddy Merckx.

Moreno, Francesco, Diego, Aldo Moser:


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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.

Pedalata con Moser

Francesco Moser turns 60 and the annual "Pedalata con Moser" (Ride with Moser) this Sunday, June 19, will celebrate his birthday. For the occasion many cycling friends will be present: Roberto Poggiali, Franco Bitossi, Gianni Motta, Felice Gimondi, Palmiro Masciarelli, Vittorio Adorni, Dino Zandegù, Gilberto Simoni and Maurizio Fondriest.

The ride will take place along the roads of Valle dell'Adige, starting in Gardolo to Rovereto and finishing Gardolo di Mezzo.

Moser's 261 race victories remains unequaled by any other Italian rider.

This will be the 23rd edition of the Pedalata con Moser. The exact schedule is:
ore 7.30: ritrovo a Gardolo in Piazza Libertà
ore 9.30: partenza per Rovereto
ore 10.45/11: rifornimento a piazza Rosmini, a Rovereto
ore 12/12.30: arrivo a Maso Villa Warth a Gardolo di Mezzo
ore 12.30/17 pranzo. Premiazioni ed intrattenimento musicale.

Photo: courtesy www.pezcyclingnews.com

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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,000 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.

La "Francesco Moser"

Francesco Moser organizes a non-competitive (cicloturistica) ride in August of approximately 73 km through the Valle dell'Adige near Trento every year. The event was held the 22nd of August this year.

Moser rides in the event, everyone wears the event jersey and has an enjoyable time.

Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are very welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 1,500 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.