The trophies - 6
ITEM N° 030
BINDA Alfredo (I)
(11.08.1902 – 19.07.1986)
Honorary award presented by the Circolo Carlo Erba in Milan
Born on 11 August 1902 in Cittiglio, Lombardy, Alfredo Binda is regarded as one of the greatest champions in the history of cycling. An exceptional climber and a particularly well-rounded rider, he dominated much of the Italian racing scene during the 1920s and 1930s.
The first rider to win the Giro d’Italia five times, he triumphed in 1925, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1933. He also won 41 stages of the Giro, a record that remained unbroken for nearly seventy years.
Binda also made his mark on the history of the World Championships. He won three road titles, in 1927, 1930 and 1932, becoming the first rider to achieve such a feat. His list of honours also includes two Milan–San Remo victories and four Tours of Lombardy.
After retiring from competition, the ‘Campionissimo’ became manager of the Italian national team. He notably supported Gino Bartali, Fausto Coppi and Gastone Nencini during their victories in the Tour de France.
The item on display is an honorary award presented to Alfredo Binda by the Circolo Carlo Erba in Milan. It bears witness to the admiration and recognition that the Italian sporting world continued to show him several decades after the end of his career. Set in a green case with a light-coloured interior, the award consists of a gilded medallion depicting a human profile. This is surrounded by two laurel wreaths enamelled in green, a traditional symbol of victory, merit and renown. A metal plaque bears the inscriptions ‘Alfredo Binda – Campione Ciclista – Circolo Carlo Erba – Milano’. It directly links the object to the champion and to the Milanese association that wished to pay tribute to him.
Catalogued under number N.G.030 and displayed in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this award perpetuates the memory of a champion nicknamed ‘The Unrivalled’, whose achievements left a profound mark on the history of Italian and world cycling.
ITEM N° 031
BINDA Alfredo (I)
(11.08.1902 – 19.07.1986)
Honour awarded by the Varese Provincial Committee
Alfredo Binda is one of the greatest champions in the history of cycling. His strength in the mountains, his elegance and his racing instinct earned him the nickname ‘Campionissimo’.
Between 1925 and 1933, he won the Giro d’Italia five times and claimed 41 stage victories. He also won two editions of Milan–San Remo and four Tours of Lombardy, cementing his dominance in both stage races and the major classics.
Above all, Binda became the first rider to win three professional road world championships, in 1927, 1930 and 1932. This historic record was not equalled until several decades later.
After his racing career, he put his experience to use with the Italian national team. As a coach, he mentored several generations of champions, including Gino Bartali, Fausto Coppi and Gastone Nencini.
The item on display is an honorary award presented to Alfredo Binda by the provincial cycling authorities of Varese, affiliated with CONI and the FIC. It celebrates both his remarkable list of achievements and his lasting influence on Italian cycling.
Housed in an elegant black case, the award takes the form of a rectangular metal plaque. It depicts Alfredo Binda in full flight on his bicycle, flanked by the emblems of the sporting organisations behind this tribute. The inscription ‘Festa Provinciale del Ciclismo 1968’ appears at the bottom. This links the object to a provincial cycling celebration organised in the Varese region, the champion’s birthplace.
On display in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this award bears witness to the tribute paid by his province to a cyclist whose achievements have left a profound mark on the history of world cycling.
ITEM N° 032
BINDA Alfredo (I)
(11.08.1902 – 19.07.1986)
Commemorative award presented on 2 July 1967
Born on 11 August 1902 in Cittiglio, in the Italian province of Varese, Alfredo Binda was part of the first generation of great international cycling stars. A powerful and elegant rider, he excelled both on long climbs and in closely contested finishes involving small groups.
A professional from 1922 to 1936, he built the bulk of his immense list of achievements whilst riding for Legnano. He won five Giro d’Italia titles, in 1925, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1933, as well as 41 stages of the race.
Alfredo Binda also excelled in the major one-day races, with four victories in the Tour of Lombardy and two wins in Milan–San Remo. His exceptional consistency enabled him to dominate Italian cycling for nearly a decade.
In 1927, he became the first-ever professional road world champion. He reclaimed the rainbow jersey in 1930 and 1932, thereby becoming the first three-time world champion in the discipline.
After retiring from competitive cycling, Binda continued his involvement as manager of the Italian national team. His experience, authority and knowledge of the sport then contributed to the international successes of several great Italian champions.
The item on display is a commemorative award presented to Alfredo Binda on 2 July 1967. Presented more than thirty years after his final races, it illustrates the enduring recognition the champion enjoyed within the world of cycling. The object takes the form of a gold-plated plaque housed in a red case. The upper section features a medallion adorned with a stylised cyclist. The central inscription bears the name ‘Alfredo Binda’ and the date ‘2-7-67’, enabling this award to be precisely linked to its recipient and the day it was presented.
Displayed in the Virtual Cycling Museum – Noël GREGOIRE Collections, this award stands as a testament to the admiration held for Alfredo Binda, whose victories and three world titles have left a lasting mark on the history of Italian cycling.
