Franco Bitossi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Franco Bitossi (born September 1, 1940) is an Italian former professional cyclist.

He was born in Camaioni di Carmignano.

He started as professional in 1961, winning a total of 171 races until 1978. In 1965 he won the the Tour de Suisse and the Championship of Zürich (which he won again in 1968). In 1967 he won Tirreno-Adriatico, Giro di Lombardia and Coppa Agostoni, while the following year he became the first (and sole) Italian to win the maillot vert (points) final classification. In 1970 he was Italian champion.

In 1972 he was famous for the near victory at the World Championship in Gap, France, where he was overcome a few meters from the arrival by his teammate Marino Basso. Four year later he won again the Italian Championship.

Bitossi was nicknamed Cuore matto ("Crazy heart") due to a cardiac arrythmia which often compelled him to stop midway in a stage.