Maglia nera
Encyclopedia
The "Maglia Nera" was a black jersey awarded as a symbolic prize in cycling competition at the Giro d'Italia
, given to the last man to finish the race. It was allocated between 1946 and 1951.
There was real competition to win this particular jersey. Especially noted are the struggles between Sante Carollo and Luigi Malabrocca, to see whom could waste the most time. Each tried to lose more time than the other by hiding in bars, barns, and behind hedges, or even by puncturing their own wheels. In 1948 the honor was awarded to the Tuscan Aldo Bini, who according to some journalists and fans of the time, stubbornly continued the race until the end, despite a broken right hand suffered in a mass crash, and the suffering that especially in the mountain stages forced him to get off the bike and push it uphill. The special ability of the black jersey was, in addition to not being "discovered", to reach the finish directly within the maximum time.
The term "maglia nera" was later used in other contexts to indicate the bottom club in a league, often giving it a negative connotation.
In 2008 a similar "black number" was introduced, won by Markus Eichler
of Team Milram
.
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...
, given to the last man to finish the race. It was allocated between 1946 and 1951.
There was real competition to win this particular jersey. Especially noted are the struggles between Sante Carollo and Luigi Malabrocca, to see whom could waste the most time. Each tried to lose more time than the other by hiding in bars, barns, and behind hedges, or even by puncturing their own wheels. In 1948 the honor was awarded to the Tuscan Aldo Bini, who according to some journalists and fans of the time, stubbornly continued the race until the end, despite a broken right hand suffered in a mass crash, and the suffering that especially in the mountain stages forced him to get off the bike and push it uphill. The special ability of the black jersey was, in addition to not being "discovered", to reach the finish directly within the maximum time.
The term "maglia nera" was later used in other contexts to indicate the bottom club in a league, often giving it a negative connotation.
In 2008 a similar "black number" was introduced, won by Markus Eichler
Markus Eichler
Markus Eichler is a German professional road bicycle racer, currently under contract to the German continental team NSP...
of Team Milram
Team MILRAM
Team Milram was a German pro cycling team, participating at the UCI ProTour.The pro cycling team was founded in the beginning of 2006, taking over the UCI ProTeam license of Team Domina Vacanze. The main sponsor is the Milram brand of the Bremen based Nordmilch company...
.
Hall of Fame
- 19461946 Giro d'ItaliaThe 1946 Giro d'Italia of cycling was held from 15 June to 7 July 1946, consisting of 17 stages for a total of 3,199 km, ridden at an average speed of 33.948 km/h...
Luigi Malabrocca - 19471947 Giro d'ItaliaThe 1947 Giro d'Italia of cycling was held from 24 May to 15 June 1947, consisting of 19 stages for a total of 3,843 km, ridden at an average speed of 33.153 km/h. It was won by Fausto Coppi.- Final classment:- Maglia rosa holders:...
Luigi Malabrocca - 19481948 Giro d'ItaliaThe 1948 Giro d'Italia of cycling was held from 15 May to 6 June 1948, consisting of 19 stages. It was won by Fiorenzo Magni with 11 seconds advantage over Ezio Cecchi ....
Aldo BiniAldo BiniAldo Bini was an Italian road bicycle racer. He was born in Montemurlo.-Major results:1935- External links :* * *...
- 19491949 Giro d'ItaliaThe 1949 Giro d'Italia of cycling was held from 21 May to 12 June 1949, consisting of 21 stages. It was won by Fausto Coppi.Coppi won the overall by way of the memorable 17th stage , during which he escaped from the group and climbed alone the Maddalena Pass, the Col de Vars, the Col d'Izoard, the...
Sante Carollo - 19501950 Giro d'ItaliaThe 1950 Giro d'Italia of cycling was held from 24 May to 13 June 1950, consisting of 18 stages. It was won by the Swiss Hugo Koblet, first non-Italian cyclist to win the general classification of the Giro.- Final classment:- Maglia rosa holders:...
Mario Gestri - 19511951 Giro d'ItaliaThe 1951 Giro d'Italia of cycling was held from 19 May to 10 June 1951, consisting in 20 stages. It was won by Fiorenzo Magni.- Final classment:- Maglia rosa holders:...
Giovanni Pinarello