Top 10 Italian cyclists in history: From Fausto Coppi to Vincenzo Nibali and Marco Pantani

Italy is one of the countries that has given more glory to the history of world cycling since its beginnings and we could not conceive this sport without events such as the Giro d'Italia or the Milano-Sanremo or without cyclists who began to mark an era as Fausto Coppi or Gino Bartali.

In this article, in collaboration with CiclismoAlDia's Juan Larra, we review what we consider to be the best transalpine riders in history, starting as it could not be otherwise with the two mentioned above, with a list that includes riders from all eras and that go beyond the purely sporting as Marco Pantani. The latest glory, Vincenzo Nibali, winner of the 3 grand tours, is also included.

We are living a beautiful Giro d'Italia at the moment with Antonio Tiberi trying to position himself in the general classification. Since Nibali, no Italian has really been fighting to win Grand Tours and it's not easy in such a globalized cycling to generate champions. It used to be different and in fact this list, we already warned, has absences such as Gianni Bugno. Of course, it's all a matter of opinion: enjoy the list and let us know in the comments what changes you would make.

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1. Fausto Coppi

Fausto Coppi, known as "Il Campionissimo," is considered one of the greatest cyclists of all time. Born in 1919, Coppi won the Giro d'Italia five times (1940, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953) and the Tour de France twice (1949 and 1952). He also set the hour record in 1942. His versatility and skills in both mountain stages and time trials made him a legend.

2. Gino Bartali

Gino Bartali, born in 1914, was one of Coppi's main rivals and another emblematic figure of Italian cycling. He won the Giro d'Italia three times (1936, 1937, 1946) and the Tour de France twice (1938, 1948), both before and after World War II. Bartali is remembered not only for his sporting achievements, but also for his bravery during World War II, when he helped save hundreds of Jewish people by transporting false documents hidden in his bicycle.

3. Felice Gimondi

Felice Gimondi, born in 1942, is one of the few cyclists to have won all three Grand Tours: the Giro d'Italia (1967, 1969, 1976), the Tour de France (1965) and the Vuelta a España (1968). His ability to compete on any type of terrain and his consistency throughout his career make him an outstanding figure in the history of cycling.

4. Vincenzo Nibali

Vincenzo Nibali, known as "The Shark of Messina," has left an indelible mark on modern cycling. Born in 1984, Nibali won the Giro d'Italia twice (2013, 2016), the Tour de France (2014) and the Vuelta a España (2010). His aggressiveness in the mountains and his ability to descend quickly made him a complete cyclist and feared by his rivals, alongside monument wins at Milano-Sanremo and many others.

Vincenzo Nibali during the 2021 Giro d'Italia. @Sirotti

5. Marco Pantani

Marco Pantani, born in 1970 and known as "Il Pirata," was one of cycling's most impressive climbers. In 1998, Pantani achieved a historic feat by winning both the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France in the same year, the last cyclist to do so to date. His explosive style and fearlessness on the climbs made him a fan favorite.

Marco Pantani is one of the icons of the Giro d'Italia. @Sirotti

6. Francesco Moser

Francesco Moser, born in 1951, is known for his versatility and strength in time trials. He won the 1984 Giro d'Italia and set the hour record in 1984, breaking Eddy Merckx's old record. In addition, Moser won Paris-Roubaix on three consecutive occasions (1978, 1979, 1980), showing his dominance in the one-day classics.

7. Alfredo Binda

Alfredo Binda, born in 1902, is one of the pioneers of Italian cycling. He won the Giro d'Italia five times (1925, 1927, 1928, 1928, 1929, 1933) and was world champion three times (1927, 1930, 1932). Binda was so dominant in his time that the Giro organizers paid him not to compete in 1930, to give other cyclists a chance.

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8. Giuseppe Saronni

Giuseppe "Beppe" Saronni, born in 1957, had an outstanding career in the 1980s. He won the Giro d'Italia twice (1979, 1983) and was world champion in 1982. Saronni was known for his powerful sprinting and stage finishing skills, as well as being a tactical and intelligent rider.

9. Costante Girardengo

Costante Girardengo, born in 1893, was one of the first stars of Italian cycling. He won the Giro d'Italia twice (1919, 1923) and was national champion nine times. Girardengo was also successful in the classics, winning Milan-San Remo six times. His consistency and dominance in the races of his time made him a legend of the sport.

10. Gastone Nencini

Gastone Nencini, born in 1930, is known for his courage and skills in the mountains. He won the 1957 Giro d'Italia and the 1960 Tour de France. Nencini was also recognized for his ability to descend quickly, earning him the nickname "Il Leone del Mugello." His aggressive style and ability to attack at crucial moments made him a memorable cyclist.

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