Gino Bartali: The champion Italian cyclist who risked his life to defy the Nazis

Italian champion cyclist Gino Bartali won the biggest cycling races in the world, multiple times. He was a three-time winner of the Giro d'Italia and a two-time winner of the Tour de France. But this is only half of the story he is now remembered for.

Gino Bartali celebrates his victory of the Tour De France in 1938. Source: Getty

When Gino Bartali died in 2000, the world was about to discover one big secret.

The acclaimed cyclist might have won some of the biggest races in the world, but success at the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France were only a small part of his story.

After a successful early start to his career with wins at the Giro d'Italia in 1936 and 1937, and the Tour De France in 1938, the world erupted. World War II interrupted cycling races for several years - there was a five year hiatus for the Tour of Italy and seven year gap for the Tour de France.

So living in Mussolini's Italy, how has history judged Gino Bartali?

The full story of Gino Bartali's heroic actions in defiance of the Nazis during WWI only began to emerge after his death.

Bartali risked his life to help Jews seeking refuge, couriering counterfeit identity papers hidden in his bicycle on long training rides. It is estimated that his actions saved more than 800 lives.

Hear Gino Bartali's incredible story in episode four of Who's Your Don Bradman? hosted by Christophe Mallet and Dario Castaldo, with sound design from Max Gosford.

LISTEN TO

Gino Bartali: The champion Italian cyclist who risked his life to defy the Nazis

SBS Audio

23/05/202244:57

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New episodes of Who's Your Don Bradman? are released monthly, telling the stories of inspiring sporting heroes idolised around the world but perhaps unknown here in Australia. Follow the podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or the SBS Radio App.