May 12, 2012 Posted by admin The Characters Adriana Bartali, wife of Gino Bartali and their oldest son, Andrea, enjoy a bike ride, circa 1948. The Archbishop of Florence, Cardinal Elia Dalla Costa, who officiated at Gino Bartali’s wedding, baptized his son and recruited Gino into the effort to save Jews in Italy during WWII. Gino Bartali and the Bishop of Assisi, Placido Nicolini, in a pre-war photo. When Jewish refugees arrived in Assisi seeking refuge, Nicolini offered assistance and directed Fathers Rufino Niccacci and Aldo Brunacci to lead different relief initiatives. Father Aldo Brunacci offered critical assistance to Jewish refugees hiding in the town of Assisi during the German occupation. Father Rufino Niccacci, Father Superior of the San Damiano Monastery, who interacted with Gino during WWII when he came to drop off photographs or pick up false identity documents. Father Pier Damiano saw Gino Bartali meet Father Rufino Niccacci and hand over photos and documents at the San Damiano monastery in Assisi during WWII. Sister Eleonora Bifarini spoke with Gino when he arrived at the San Quirico convent in Assisi during World War II to pick up false identity documents. The Goldenberg family, who were saved by Gino Bartali during the Italian Holocaust: Elvira, Giorgio, Tea and Giacomo. Giovanni Corrieri, Gino’s teammate and confidant, races in the postwar period. Jean Robic won the 1947 Tour de France and was a favorite in 1948. He would continue to race professionally until 1961. Louis ‘Louison’ Bobet emerged as a star at the 1948 Tour de France and went on to win it in 1953, 1954 and 1955. Alcide De Gasperi was prime minister of Italy between 1945 and 1953. De Gasperi and Gino Bartali first became friends before the war. Palmiro Togliatti, leader of the Italian Communist Party from 1927-1964. On July 14, 1948, Antonio Pallante shot Palmiro Togliatti outside the building that housed Italy’s Chamber of Deputies. In this photo, Antonio Pallante is escorted by police during the trial that followed that attack. Co-Author Aili McConnon with Andrea Bartali in Florence.
May 9, 2012 Posted by BK Gino Bartali Gallery Gino Bartali, circa 1936 Gino Bartali and his teammates, circa 1950 Gino Bartali is surrounded by a crowd, circa 1950 Gino Bartali is cheered by fans as he races, circa 1949 Gino Bartali and Gioavnni Corrieri enjoy a celebration, circa 1950 Gino Bartali mid-race, circa 1950 Gino Bartali is paraded after winning the 1946 Giro d’Italia. Gino Bartali: 1914-2000 RoadToValour. Paperback