Gastone Nencini
Encyclopedia
Gastone Nencini was an Italian
road racing cyclist who won the 1960
Tour de France
and the 1957
Giro d'Italia
.
Nicknamed Il Leone del Mugello, "The Lion of Mugello
" (from his birthplace Barberino del Mugello, near Florence
), Nencini was a powerful all-rounder, particularly strong in the mountains.
He was an amateur painter and a chain smoker. He was a gifted descender. "The only reason to follow Nencini downhill would be if you had a death wish", said the French rider Raphaël Géminiani
. It was in trying to follow Nencini down a mountain that Roger Rivière
missed a bend, crashed over a wall and broke his spine.
They met at a col in the Dolomites
during the Giro d'Italia
. The weather was bad and a snowstorm had forced 57 riders to abandon that day. Anglade said:
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
road racing cyclist who won the 1960
1960 Tour de France
The 1960 Tour de France was the 47th Tour de France, taking place between 26 June and 17 July 1960. The race featured 128 riders, of which 81 finished...
Tour de France
Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
and the 1957
1957 Giro d'Italia
The 1957 Giro d'Italia of cycling was held from 18 May to 9 June 1957, consisting of 21 stages.This 40th edition was won by the Italian Gastone Nencini.- Final classment :- Maglia rosa holders:- Other jerseys:*Maglia verde:...
Giro d'Italia
Giro d'Italia
The Giro d'Italia , also simply known as The Giro, is a long distance road bicycle racing stage race for professional cyclists held over three weeks in May/early June in and around Italy. The Giro is one of the three Grand Tours , and is part of the UCI World Ranking calendar...
.
Nicknamed Il Leone del Mugello, "The Lion of Mugello
Mugello region
Mugello is a landscape north of Florence in northern Italy. It is separated by the Santerno river valley by the Futa Pass.The area was settled by a Ligurian tribe known as the Magelli, whence the name. Then the region was occupied by the Etruscans who have left many archeological traces and who...
" (from his birthplace Barberino del Mugello, near Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
), Nencini was a powerful all-rounder, particularly strong in the mountains.
He was an amateur painter and a chain smoker. He was a gifted descender. "The only reason to follow Nencini downhill would be if you had a death wish", said the French rider Raphaël Géminiani
Raphael Geminiani
Raphaël Géminiani is a French former road bicycle racer. He had six podium finishes in the Grand Tours. He is one of four children of Italian immigrants who moved to Clermont-Ferrand. He worked in a cycle shop and started racing as a boy...
. It was in trying to follow Nencini down a mountain that Roger Rivière
Roger Rivière
Roger Rivière was a French track and road bicycle racer. He raced as a professional from 1957 to 1960....
missed a bend, crashed over a wall and broke his spine.
Downhill race
Nencini's downhill race with Henry Anglade has become part of the legend of cycling. Anglade was a proud rider and Nencini one of the fastest down hills.They met at a col in the Dolomites
Dolomites
The Dolomites are a mountain range located in north-eastern Italy. It is a part of Southern Limestone Alps and extends from the River Adige in the west to the Piave Valley in the east. The northern and southern borders are defined by the Puster Valley and the Sugana Valley...
during the Giro d'Italia
Giro d'Italia
The Giro d'Italia , also simply known as The Giro, is a long distance road bicycle racing stage race for professional cyclists held over three weeks in May/early June in and around Italy. The Giro is one of the three Grand Tours , and is part of the UCI World Ranking calendar...
. The weather was bad and a snowstorm had forced 57 riders to abandon that day. Anglade said:
- I couldn't tolerate the idea that Nencini was the best descender of the peloton. I said to him, call the blackboard man, we'll do the descent together and whoever comes second pays for the aperitifAperitifApéritifs and digestifs are alcoholic drinks that are normally served with meals.-Apéritifs:An apéritif is usually served before a meal to stimulate the appetite. This contrasts with digestifs, which are served after a meal for the purpose of aiding digestion...
s this evening. So he called the ardoisier and asked him to follow us. The road was of compressed earth. We attacked the drop flat out. I let Nencini take the lead so that I could see how he negotiated the bends before attacking him. In the end I dropped as though I was alone. At the bottom, I had taken 32 seconds out of him, written on the blackboard. I was really tickled. I had beaten Nencini. The next time I saw him was that evening in the hotel I was staying at. He had just bought me an apéritif!
Teams
- 1953-1954 Legnano
- 1955-1958 Leo-Chlorodont
- 1959-1960 Carpano
- 1961 Ignis
- 1962 Ignis-Moschettieri
- 1963-1964: Springoil-Fuchs
- 1965 Filotex
- 1965 Springoil-Fuchs
Major achievements
Giro d'ItaliaGiro d'ItaliaThe Giro d'Italia , also simply known as The Giro, is a long distance road bicycle racing stage race for professional cyclists held over three weeks in May/early June in and around Italy. The Giro is one of the three Grand Tours , and is part of the UCI World Ranking calendar...
(19571957 Giro d'ItaliaThe 1957 Giro d'Italia of cycling was held from 18 May to 9 June 1957, consisting of 21 stages.This 40th edition was won by the Italian Gastone Nencini.- Final classment :- Maglia rosa holders:- Other jerseys:*Maglia verde:...
), overall classification and mountains classificationKing of the MountainsThe King of the Mountains is the title given to the best climber in a cycling road race; usually and officially known as the Mountains classification...
Tour de FranceTour de FranceThe Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
(19601960 Tour de FranceThe 1960 Tour de France was the 47th Tour de France, taking place between 26 June and 17 July 1960. The race featured 128 riders, of which 81 finished...
), overall classification- Tour de France (19571957 Tour de FranceThe 1957 Tour de France was the 44th Tour de France, taking place June 27 to July 20, 1957. It was composed of 22 stages over 4665 km, ridden at an average speed of 34.250 km/h....
), mountains classification - Tre Valli VaresineTre Valli VaresineThe Tre Valli Varesine is a semi classic European bicycle race held in Varese, Italy. Since 2005, the race has been organised as a 1.HC event on the UCI Europe Tour....
(1956)
Other results
- 2nd in the Giro d'Italia (19601960 Giro d'ItaliaThe 1960 Giro d'Italia of cycling was held from 19 May to 9 June 1960, consisting of 21 stages. This 43rd edition was won by the French Jacques Anquetil.- Final classment:- Maglia rosa holders:...
) - 2nd in the Trofeo MatteottiTrofeo MatteottiTrofeo Matteotti is a single-day road bicycle race held annually in Pescara, Italy. Since 2005, the race has been organised as a 1.1 event on the UCI Europe Tour.-Winners:...
(1961) - 2nd in the Giro dell'AppenninoGiro dell'AppenninoThe Giro dell'Appennino is a semi classic European bicycle race held in the Apennine Mountains, Italy. Since 2005, the race has been organised as a 1.1 event on the UCI Europe Tour....
(1962) - 2nd in the Züri-Metzgete (1964)
- 3rd in the Giro d'Italia (19551955 Giro d'ItaliaThe 1955 Giro d'Italia of cycling was held from 14 May to 5 June 1955, consisting of 21 stages. It was won by Fiorenzo Magni, the oldest winner of the Giro, at age 35....
) - 3rd in the Giro del LazioGiro del LazioThe Giro del Lazio is a semi classic European bicycle race held in the region of Lazio, Italy. Since 2005, the race has been organised as a 1.HC event on the UCI Europe Tour....
(1957) - 3rd in the Milano–Torino (1960)
- 3rd in the Tour de RomandieTour de RomandieThe Tour de Romandie is a stage race which is part of the UCI World Tour. It runs in the Romandie region, in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. It began in 1947, to coincide with the 50-year anniversary of Swiss Cycling....
(1964)
Victories
1955- Giro d'Italia1955 Giro d'ItaliaThe 1955 Giro d'Italia of cycling was held from 14 May to 5 June 1955, consisting of 21 stages. It was won by Fiorenzo Magni, the oldest winner of the Giro, at age 35....
- 2 stages
- mountanins classification
- 5 days in Pink jersey
1956
- Tre Valli Varesine
- 1 stage in the Tour de France1956 Tour de FranceThe 1956 Tour de France was the 43rd Tour de France, taking place from July 5 to 28, 1956. It consisted of 22 stages over 4498 km, ridden at an average speed of 36.268 km/h....
1957
- Tour de France1957 Tour de FranceThe 1957 Tour de France was the 44th Tour de France, taking place June 27 to July 20, 1957. It was composed of 22 stages over 4665 km, ridden at an average speed of 34.250 km/h....
- 2 stages
- Winner Mountains classification
- Giro della Provincia di Reggio Calabria
1958
- 1 stage in the Tour de France1958 Tour de FranceThe 1958 Tour de France was the 45th Tour de France, taking place June 26 to July 19, 1958. The total race distance was 24 stages over 4,319 km, at an average speed of 36.919 km/h....
- 2 stages in the Giro d'Italia1958 Giro d'ItaliaThe 1958 Giro d'Italia of cycling was held from 18 May to 8 June 1958, consisting of 20 stages.This 41st edition was won by the Italian Ercole Baldini.- Final classment :- Maglia rosa holders:...
- Circuit of Omegna
- Circuit of Lokeren
1959
- 1 stage in the Giro d'Italia1959 Giro d'ItaliaThe 1959 Giro d'Italia of cycling was held from 16 May to 7 June 1959, consisting of 22 stages. This 42nd edition was won by Charly Gaul.- Final classment:- Maglia rosa holders:...
1960
- Tour de France1960 Tour de FranceThe 1960 Tour de France was the 47th Tour de France, taking place between 26 June and 17 July 1960. The race featured 128 riders, of which 81 finished...
- Overall classification (with 12 days in Yellow jerseyYellow jerseyThe general classification in the Tour de France is the most important classification, the one by which the winner of the Tour de France is determined. Since 1919, the leader of the general classification wears the yellow jersey .-History:...
)
-
- 2 stages in the Giro d'Italia1960 Giro d'ItaliaThe 1960 Giro d'Italia of cycling was held from 19 May to 9 June 1960, consisting of 21 stages. This 43rd edition was won by the French Jacques Anquetil.- Final classment:- Maglia rosa holders:...
- Grand Prix de Nice
- Circuit of Montélimar
1961
- Circuit of Acireale
Grand Tour results timeline
| 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Tour de France The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The... |
DNE | DNE | 22 1956 Tour de France The 1956 Tour de France was the 43rd Tour de France, taking place from July 5 to 28, 1956. It consisted of 22 stages over 4498 km, ridden at an average speed of 36.268 km/h.... |
6 1957 Tour de France The 1957 Tour de France was the 44th Tour de France, taking place June 27 to July 20, 1957. It was composed of 22 stages over 4665 km, ridden at an average speed of 34.250 km/h.... |
5 1958 Tour de France The 1958 Tour de France was the 45th Tour de France, taking place June 26 to July 19, 1958. The total race distance was 24 stages over 4,319 km, at an average speed of 36.919 km/h.... |
DNE | 1 1960 Tour de France The 1960 Tour de France was the 47th Tour de France, taking place between 26 June and 17 July 1960. The race featured 128 riders, of which 81 finished... |
DNE | DNF-14 1962 Tour de France The 1962 Tour de France was the 49th Tour de France, taking place June 24 to July 15, 1962. It was composed of 22 stages over 4274 km, ridden at an average speed of 37.306 km/h. After more than 30 years, the Tour was again contested by trade teams... |
DNE | DNE |
| Stages won | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | — |
| Mountains classification | — | — | 17 | 1 | 7 | — | 4 | — | NR | — | — |
| Points classification | — | — | 21 | 9 | 8 | — | 3 | — | NR | — | — |
| Giro Giro d'Italia The Giro d'Italia , also simply known as The Giro, is a long distance road bicycle racing stage race for professional cyclists held over three weeks in May/early June in and around Italy. The Giro is one of the three Grand Tours , and is part of the UCI World Ranking calendar... |
16 | 3 | DNF | 1 | 5 | 10 | 2 | DNE | 13 | DNF | DNF |
| Stages won | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mountains classification | NR | 1 | NR | 5 | NR | NR | 3 | — | NR | NR | NR |
| Points classification | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Vuelta Vuelta a España The Vuelta a España is a three-week road bicycle racing stage race that is one of the three "Grand Tours" of Europe and part of the UCI World Ranking calendar. The race lasts three weeks and attracts cyclists from around the world. The race is broken into day-long segments, called stages... |
N/A | 18 | DNE | 9 | DNF-9 | DNE | DNE | DNE | DNE | DNE | DNE |
| Stages won | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Mountains classification | NR | — | NR | NR | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Points classification | NR | — | 2 | NR | — | — | — | — | — | — |