On May 9, 1978, the second stage of the Giro d’Italia was in full swing, covering a total distance of 195 kilometers from Nuevo Ligure to La Spezia, but everyone’s attention was elsewhere. The body of Christian Democratic president Aldo Moro, murdered by the Red Brigades, is found in Rome. The runners don’t know this and fight as usual. Finally, there was a sprint, and out of nowhere emerged a 20-year-old who was said to have done many great things, Giuseppe Saroni.
However, the joy of their first Giro d’Italia success was shattered by the harsh reality: no celebrations, no podiums, no flowers, no kisses for the losers. “Running in Italy like this will demoralize you” was the only thing the twenty-year-old Saloni could say, very mature for his age.
However, the joy of the boy from Parabiago would soon come, because in that edition of the pink race the rising star of Italian cycling would also win in Benevento and Ravello, finishing in the overall classification Finishing fifth, 8’19” was finished by winner Johan De Muynck.
At 21 years old, Saloni has racked up more than 25 wins as a pro and 189 wins on the track. Absolute genius, because very few, in fact very few, can dominate the main sprint with dazzling acceleration, hold on in the mountains, win the classics of the Monument, Milan-San Remo and the Tour of Lombardy and become World Champion and famously successful at Goodwood. But among the many masterpieces he created during his career, the first was 1979’s “Corsa Rosa”, a version that actually started a fierce rivalry with Francesco Moser.
Fresh off his victory in Paris-Roubaix, Trentino is the favorite and the first seven days of Maria Rosa have proven his quality. The turning point came next, when the young Milanese runner performed brilliantly in the 28km time trial in San Marino. Beppe surpassed Moser’s speed and was 1 foot 24 inches behind him, flying towards the Maglia Rosa.
He led her to a final victory in Milan, sealing victory in three stages, including a final time trial from Cesano Maderno to the Arena, cheered by tens of thousands of fans. Only Fausto Coppi in 1940 and Luigi Marchisio in 1930 had won the Giro at a younger age. “You can’t imagine how happy a 21-year-old boy is when he comes home wearing this jersey,” Saloni said recently.
However, his story with Corsa Rosa was just beginning, and in a total of 13 races, he won 24 stages, finished in the top 10 seven times, and reached the podium four times. In addition to his 1979 victory, Saloni also won the 1983 Giro d’Italia. With Moser forced to retire, Salonni had already taken Maglia Rosa after stage seven and had to fend off an attack from Roberto Visentini. This was despite a persistent cold and an outbreak of bronchitis, and on the eve of the final stage a Lombard industrialist offered two waiters at a Gorizia hotel 2 million lire to add laxatives to their dinner. Also a notorious attempt to poison him. In the corridor (the two called the police, who stopped the attempt) – Saloni raised his arms and managed to reach Udine, once again etching his name in legend.
At the Trento Sports Festival he will be inducted into the Giro d’Italia Hall of Fame and receive today’s Corsa Rosa emblem – the Senza Fine Trophy (Endless Trophy), which has been reserved for the winner since 1999. Beppe will also take part in this trophy, which will forever remind him of what he does and what he represents for cycling.
Click here to learn more about Giuseppe Saloni and the Giro d’Italia Hall of Fame.