The newspaper race that turned into a national obsession

Sport & Games · Published 9 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Born from a desperate need to boost newspaper sales, the Giro d'Italia has evolved from a risky financial gamble into one of cycling's most prestigious Grand Tours. From the legendary rivalry of Bartali and Coppi to the dominance of Alfredo Binda, discover how this race became an Italian institution.

The Giro d'Italia was first organized in 1909 to increase sales for the newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport. The concept was inspired by the success of the Tour de France, but the initial venture faced significant financial hurdles. Organizers lacked the necessary 25,000 lire to launch the event, forcing them to rely on donations from an accountant named Primo Bongrani and even contributions from their rival, Corriere della Sera.

The inaugural race, held in May 1909, featured 127 riders covering 2,448 km across eight stages. Luigi Ganna emerged as the first winner, securing both the stage wins and the general classification. This victory was decided by a points-based system, a format that changed to a time-based system in 1914 to determine the leader of the general classification.

Over the decades, the race has defined eras of cycling history. The 1920s were dominated by Alfredo Binda, whose sheer dominance was so pronounced that the newspaper once offered him 22,000 lire to be less dominant. The post-war years saw the intense rivalry between Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi, a conflict that divided Italy along cultural and political lines. Today, the Giro remains a premier UCI World Tour event, characterized by its iconic pink jersey and grueling climbs through the Alps and Dolomites.

The race's prestige is cemented by the 'Triple Crown of Cycling,' an achievement reached by riders who win the Giro, the Tour de France, and the UCI Road World Championships in a single season. Notable figures like Jacques Anquetil and Eddy Merckx have left indelible marks on the race, navigating everything from dangerous mountain descents to the first professional drug testing in 1968.

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