- Franco Bitossi
Infobox Cyclist
ridername = Franco Bitossi
image_caption =
fullname = Franco Bitossi
nickname = Cuore matto (Crazy heart)
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1940|9|1
country = Italy
currentteam = Retired
discipline = Road
role = Rider
ridertype =
amateuryears =
amateurteams =
proyears =
proteams =
majorwins = Tour de France green jersey (1968)
Tirreno-Adriatico (1967)
updated =April 16 ,2007 Franco Bitossi (born
September 1 1940 ) is an Italian former professionalcyclist . He was born inCamaioni di Carmignano .He started as professional in 1961, winning a total of 171 races until 1978. In 1965 he won the the
Tour de Suisse and theZüri-Metzgete (which he won again in 1968). In 1967 he wonTirreno-Adriatico ,Giro di Lombardia and Coppa Agostoni, while the following year he became the first (and sole) Italian to win themaillot vert (points) final classification. In 1970 he was Italian champion.In 1972 he was famous for the near victory at the World Championship in Gap,
France , where he was overcome a few meters from the arrival by his teammateMarino Basso . Four year later he won again the Italian Championship.Bitossi was nicknamed "Cuore matto" ("Crazy heart") due to a
cardiac arrythmia which often compelled him to stop midway in a stage.Palmares
;1965:
Tour de Suisse :Züri-Metzgete ;1966:1966 Tour de France :::Winner stages 5 and 17;1967:Tirreno-Adriatico :Giro di Lombardia :Coppa Agostoni ;1968:Züri-Metzgete:1968 Tour de France ::: Points classification::Winner stages 7 and 16;1969:Giro d'Italia::: Maglia ciclamino:Coppa Agostoni;1970:ITA national road race champion:Giro d'Italia::: Maglia ciclamino:Giro di Lombardia:Volta a Catalunya ;1971:Coppa Agostoni;1976:ITA national road race champion
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