Bartali G.S. Brooklin Jersey

Description

The jersey on display, represents a momentous change in the history of cycling. In fact, in 1954, combinations between teams and non-technical sponsors were allowed, all thanks to Fiorenzo Magni . In 1953 Fiorenzo Magni is still racing in the Ganna. He was informed that the team would close at the end of the season due to lack of funds. Magni was not particularly worried; as one of the best riders in the world, offers to win him would come one after another. Magni, however, wanted to try something different. Through accountant Pagani, Magni got in touch with Dr. Zimmermann , who ran the Nivea brand of skin cream stored in a round, blue box. Magni, quickly convinces his interlocutor because the opportunity to take the brand around Italy is too juicy to turn down. Convincing the Italian Cycling Federation, however, was more complicated. At the decisive meeting organized in Turin, Magni was not even allowed to speak. Fortunately, a few prominent members had espoused his gimmick and were able to represent him properly. For the first time a top team was set up by a sponsor that had nothing to do with cycling. One speaks, even, of an absolute first in the world of sports: soccer and motor racing will know this transition later, while some basketball fans remember the writing "Borletti" on the jerseys of Olimpia Milano. With this jersey Magni won the points championship in 1954 and in 1955 he also won the Giro d'Italia. In 54 the Tour de France did not want to admit Magni's team, but Coppi intervened in support of Magni saying that if they did not accept Nivea Fuchs he would not participate either. Bartali, too, while leaving the jersey unchanged, replaced the tire sponsor (first Gardiol, then Ursus) to switch to G.s. Brooklin, a company