A Champion Cyclist Against the Nazis : The Incredible Life of Gino Bartali

Italy, 1943. Although allied with Hitler, there were those who refused to accept the fascist policies of racial discrimination and deportation. Among them was Gino Bartali. A champion cyclist, he won the Giro d'Italia (Tour of Italy) three times and the Tour de France twice. But these weren’t his only achievements. Deeply religious, Bartali never spoke about what he did during those dark years, when he agreed to work with the Resistance and pass messages from one end of the country to the other. Despite the dangers, Bartali used his training as a pretext to criss-cross Italy, hiding documents in the handlebars and saddle of his bicycle, all the while hoping that each time he was searched they wouldn't think to disassemble his machine. As a result of his bravery, 800 Jews — including numerous children — were saved from deportation. He died in Florence in 2000 and was recognized as one of the 'Righteous Among the Nations' in 2013. In this book, Alberto Toscano shares the incredible story of this great sportsman and recalls the dramatic moments in Italy and Europe in the twentieth century. The true story of the Tour de France winner who cycled all over Mussolini's Italy in a secret quest to rescue hundreds of Jewish lives. Cyclist Gino Bartali won the Giro d'Italia (Tour of Italy) three times and the Tour de France twice. But these weren't his only achievements. Deeply religious, Bartali quietly agreed during the dark years of fascist rule to work with the Resistance and pass messages and papers from one end of the country to the other. Despite the dangers, Bartali used his training as a pretext to criss-cross Italy, hiding documents in the handlebars and saddle of his bicycle, hoping each time he was searched that they wouldn't think to disassemble his machine. As a result of his bravery, eight hundred Jews—including numerous children—were saved from deportation. In this book, Alberto Toscano shares the incredible story of this great sportsman, recognized as one of the "Righteous Among the Nations" by Jerusalem's Yad Vashem Memorial after his death in Florence in 2000, and recounts a story of humble heroism, real-life suspense, and twentieth-century European history. "An informative testament to the kinds of risks and sacrifices [of] the anti-Nazis in Mussolini's Italy during World War II . . . an extraordinary story of an extraordinary man in extraordinary times." — Midwest Book Review Italy, 1943. Although Allied With Hitler, There Were Those Who Refused To Accept The Fascist Policies Of Racial Discrimination And Deportation. Among Them Was Gino Bartali.a Champion Cyclist, He Won The Giro D'italia (tour Of Italy) Three Times And The Tour De France Twice. But These Weren't His Only Achievements. Deeply Religious, Bartali Never Spoke About What He Did During Those Dark Years, When He Agreed To Work With The Resistance And Pass Messages From One End Of The Country To The Other. Despite The Dangers, Bartali Used His Training As A Pretext To Criss-cross Italy, Hiding Documents In The Handlebars And Saddle Of His Bicycle, All The While Hoping That Each Time He Was Searched They Wouldn't Think To Disassemble His Machine.as A Result Of His Bravery, 800 Jews -- Including Numerous Children -- Were Saved From Deportation. He Died In Florence In 2000 And Was Recognised As One Of The 'righteous Among The Nations' In 2013. In This Book, Alberto Toscano Shares The Incredible Story Of This Great Sportsman And Recalls The Dramatic Moments In Italy And Europe In The Twentieth Century. Italy, 1943\. Although allied with Hitler, there were those who refused to accept the fascist policies of racial discrimination and deportation. Among them was Gino Bartali. A champion cyclist, he won the Giro d'Italia (Tour of Italy) three times and the Tour de France twice. But these weren't his only achievements. Deeply religious, Bartali never spoke about what he did during those dark years, when he agreed to work with the Resistance and pass messages from one end of the country to the other. Despite the dangers, Bartali used his training as a pretext to criss-cross Italy, hiding documents in the handlebars and saddle of his bicycle, all the while hoping that each time he was searched they wouldn't think to disassemble his machine. As a result of his bravery, 800 Jews including numerous children were saved from deportation. He died in Florence in 2000 and was recognised as one of the 'Righteous Among the Nations' in 2013. In this book, Alberto Toscano shares the incredible story of this great sportsman and recalls the dramatic moments in Italy and Europe in the twentieth century About the Author: Alberto Toscano is an Italian journalist, writer and political scientist. He moved to France in 1986 and has worked with both Italian and French media. He was a researcher at the Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI), Milan, has served as the president of the Foreign Press Association in France, and is president of the European Press Club, Paris. He was awarded the French National Order of Merit. Cover Book Title Copyright Table of Contents Preface – Gino the Just Introduction 1. Italy: A Country that Pedals 2. The Small World of Ponte a Ema 3. Gino the Pious 4. Cycling, Fascism and Anti-fascism 5. The Tour de France 6. The Race Laws Plate Section 7. Sport, War and Marriage 8. Secret Networks 9. Gino the Just 10. Gino the Old 11. Gino and Fausto 12. ‘I’m always chasing something!’ Afterword Endnotes The amazing story of champion cyclist Gino Bartali. How he helped save the lives of 800 Jews during WW2.