Overview

Fausto Coppi, nicknamed “Il Campionissimo” (Champion of Champions), was an Italian cyclist widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time. His career spanned from the late 1930s to the late 1950s, during which he achieved extraordinary success in both road racing and track cycling. Coppi won the Giro d’Italia five times (1940, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953) and the Tour de France twice (1949, 1952), becoming the first cyclist to win both in the same year, a feat he accomplished twice. He also claimed victories in prestigious one-day races, including the Milan–San Remo (three times), Paris–Roubaix, and the Giro di Lombardia (five times). Known for his elegant riding style and versatility, Coppi excelled in time trials, mountain stages, and sprints. His rivalry with fellow Italian cyclist Gino Bartali captivated fans and remains legendary in cycling history. Beyond his cycling achievements, Coppi was a pioneer in modern training methods and sports nutrition. His career was marked by both triumph and tragedy, including a controversial personal life and his untimely death from malaria at age 40.