Another Italian cycling legend passed away this week... Born in 1933, Ercole Baldini aka "Il Treno di Forli" had some magic years from 1956 to 1958, winning the Olympic road race, @giroditalia , the World Champs and setting a new Hour Record. RIP.
Former Giro d'Italia winner, Hour Record holder, Olympic & World Champion Ercole Baldini passes away aged 89
CyclingWednesday, 07 December 2022 at 11:30
Italian cycling legend Ercole Baldini has passed away at his home in Villanova aged 89. Despite having a brief professional career, Baldini achieved an almost unparalleled amount of success and was one of cycling's biggest stars in the late 50s and early 60s.
Born on the 26th of January 1933, Baldini began to show promise as a bike rider in 1953 when he added a first major result to his palmares, third at the Piccolo Giro de Lombardia, earning himself the nickname Il Treno di Forlì – ‘The Forlì Express.’
In 1956, Baldini had the kind of year many could only dream of. Taking victories at the Italian national championships in the individual pursuit and the Olympic Games in the road race, Baldini would add a cherry on top of the cake by beating Jacques Anquetil's hour record in front of a raucous Milan crowd.
Dutch journalist, Ron Couwenhoven wrote at the time, "The stands of the Vigorelli Stadium were sold out. No less than 15,000 cycling fans came to the event. It had been announced days earlier that Baldini would attack Jacques Anquetil’s record this day. The police had their hands full to manage the enormous crowds around the velodrome. The parking lots were packed. And that for an attack undertaken by an amateur!"
Unsurprisingly it wasn't long before professional teams were vying it out for his signature. Joining Legnano, Baldini would finish 3rd at the Giro in his debut Grand Tour. One year later in 1958, Baldini would go even better and win the famed Pink Jersey ahead of Jean Brankart and Charly Gaul. Also in 1958, the Italian would become the road race World Champion in Reims, out climbing the great Gaul.
Joining Ignis in 1959, Baldini became the highest-paid man on two wheels. Sadly however, the candle had already begun burning low for the Italian. Despite maintaining a prominent place in the peloton, Baldini never again threatened the kind of success he'd seen in 1958 before being forced to retire in 1964 after having surgery on his leg.
CyclingUpToDate would like to extend it's condolences to Baldini's friends and family.
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