Happy birthday to Gianni Motta, who was born on this day in 1943.
The Italian rider is best known for winning the 1966 Giro d’Italia ahead of Italo Zilioli of Italy and Jacques Anquetil of France, he also claimed the points jersey in that year’s Italian Grand Tour as well.
Motta also won the Tour of Lombardy Classic (Giro di Lombardia) in 1964, the Tour de Suisse in 1967 and two victories in Tour de Romandie in 1966 and 1971.
Other notable victories included winning Coppa Bernocchi, Trofeo Baracchi, Giro di Romagna, Milano–Torino, Giro dell’Appennino, Giro dell’Emilia, Tre Valli Varesine and the Giro dell’Umbria between 1964 and 1970.
Like many professional cyclists before him, Motto turned to the manufacturing and the sales of bicycles after his retirement from racing.
Nowadays, Motto often appears as a dignitary at numerous bike races in and around Italy, especially the Giro d’Italia.
He’s also served as a race commentator for various news outlets in Italy over the years as well.
Buon compleanno Gianni!
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