2 About 1 mile south of Chedburgh on the edge of Great Wood, if you’re interested.
3 His record of eight Tour de France stage wins by a British rider stood for over 30 years until he was overtaken by the Manx Missile, Mark Cavendish, in 2009.
4 ‘100 Greatest Cycling Climbs’ by Simon Warren. Published by Frances Lincoln, an imprint of The Quarto Group.
5 Alumni include Leonardo Del Vecchio who established Luxzottica, the world’s largest eyewear manufacturer. It owns Oakley, which produces eyewear favoured by many cyclists. The orphanage is now a museum dedicated to telling its story using modern-day multimedia technology. For Bianchi completists, the museum is only a short walk from Via Nirone.
6 For example: Gold Medal, United Exhibition, Milan, 1894; Certificate of Excellence, International Bicycle Fair, Paris, 1894; Grand Prize, Design Fair, Rome, 1895.
7 Neither was riding a Bianchi, unfortunately.
8 Queen Margherita was also responsible for making pizza popular. Legend has it that the first Margherita was created in 1889 to mark a visit by the Queen to Naples. The colours red (tomato), white (mozzarella) and green (basil) were chosen to represent the flag of a newly unified Italy.
9 The cycle manufacturing operations were moved to Number 16, Viale Abruzzi where they remained until 1964.
10 Italy’s stock exchange located in Milan.
11 The Marshall Plan, through which the American government provided US$12 billion to provide economic aid to post-war Europe.
12 45.798 kilometres. By comparison the current record, set in 2015 by Bradley Wiggins, stands at 54.526 kilometres.
13 Major wins included the Giro d’Italia (1940, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953), the Tour de France (1949 and 1952), World Road Race Championship (1953), Giro di Lombardia (1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1954), Milan-San Remo (1946, 1948, 1949), Paris-Roubaix (1950) and Flèche Wallonne (1950).
14 Also the owners of Raleigh and other companies.
15 Nicknamed ‘The Phoenix’, Felice Gimondi was another superstar of Italian cycling. A three-times winner of the Giro, he is one of only six riders to have won all three Grand Tours (France, Italy, Spain). Gimondi continues his association with Bianchi, and the Grand Fondo Felice Gimondi sportive is held annually around Bergamo in his honour.
16 Ridden by Morento Argentin (‘Il Capo’ – ‘The Boss’) when he won 1986 World Road Race Championship in Colorado.
17His shaven head, bandana and earrings gave rise to his nickname.
18 Abandoned by his family, Pantani died alone on 14 February 2004 in an hotel in Rimini. The autopsy revealed that he died from heart failure brought on by an overdose of cocaine. To this day that conclusion remains the source of much speculation and intrigue.
19With its headquarters in Sweden, Grimaldi Idustri AB owns several bicycle brands including Gitane, Peugeot and Puch. Cycleurope UK, based in Bedford, is the UK subsidiary in the group.
20 ‘This Bianchi was lovingly assembled by [name].’
21 At the time of writing (March 2017) tantalising hints are emerging of the latest addition to the family – the Oltre XR3 – scheduled for a launch in April.
22 The Medici were bankers, a political dynasty, and then a royal family. They developed the double-entry system of bookkeeping still in use today. Three of the family became Popes, and the family established a reputation as philanthropists through patronage of the arts and support for humanism.
23 After the tour was over I found out that the sculpture was created by Mauro Staccioli who was born in Volterra. He has created similar works at many locations in Europe and further afield. He also works with other materials such as concrete.
24 San Gimiignano can trace its history back to Etruscan times (third century BC) and has a rich and near unique medieval architecture. Designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site it is well worth a visit; sadly not possible on our tour.
25 Nicknamed the ‘Fearsome Pope’, Julius II was Pope between 1503 and 1513. With what can best be described as a chequered approach to the arts and heritage, he demolished the old Basilica of St Peter’s (which had stood for over 1,100 years) and commissioned Michelangelo to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
26 Winner: Tour de France (2007, 2009), Giro d’Italia (2008), Veulta e Espana (2008, 2012, 2014). His results for 2010 (Tour de France) and 2011 (Giro d’Italia) were struck out due to failing a doping test for Erythropoietinn (EPO).
27 Winner: Tour de France (2014), Giro d’Italia (2013, 2016), Veulta a Espana (2010).
28 The Battle of Anghiari occurred in 1440 when troops from Florence beat the army from Milan. A fresco in Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio was painted by Leonardo da Vinci to commemorate the battle. The fresco was subsequently lost or destroyed. All that is now known about it is from a sketch completed by Rubens during one of his visits to Italy.
29 Urbino is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with, I am told, many architectural masterpieces and a university dating back to 1506. Oh well, I now have another good reason to return.
30 A Pinarello Dogma with Shimano Di2 electronic gearing, if you really want to know.
31 Monument to the Fallen, inaugurated in 1930.
32 www.steelsculptures.co.uk
33 www.suffolkchurches.co.uk.
34 As at October 2013.
35The score is calculated by adding together the numerical rank of each cyclist in the overall points and mountains classifications. The rider with the lowest score is the Combination competition leader. Riders must be ranked in each of the three individual classifications to be considered.
Passione Celeste Page 27