A few years before the legendary duels between Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi that every self-respecting cycling enthusiast knows, there were 2 other Italians who won everything and dominated the 1920s: Costante Girardengo and Alfredo Binda.
Girardengo (born 1893) and Binda (born 1902) also competed against each other in a few races but spent most of their careers apart. After all, there was an age difference of 9 years between the 2 and Binda can therefore be seen more as the successor to Girardengo. In addition to the 2nd half of the 10s, Girardengo also dominated the 1st half of the 20s and Binda dominated the 2nd half.
Moest Girardengo zijn loopbaan niet onderbroken zijn geweest door de 1ste wereldoorlog dan had zijn palmares er ongetwijfeld nog mooier uitgezien. In 1936 hing hij de fiets aan de haak na een carrière van 43 jaar.
The 1st time Binda on Mont Chauve
The first time we heard speaking of Binda was in 1923 during the Nice – Mont Chauve competition, a climbing competition on the French coast. The big favorite was Girardengo, the best Italian rider of the moment with a Giro d'Italia, 2 times Milan Sanremo and 2 times the Tour of Lombardy on his palmares.
Not Girardengo but young Binda was the first to cross the top of Mont Chauve, a feat that frightened his opponents because the way he drove them out of the wheel was impressive. Moreover, Binda was only 21 years young.
Ironie van de zaak is dat het Girardengo was die Binda uitnodigde om wedstrijden te komen rijden in Italië en daarmee zelf een einde maakte aan zijn alleenheerschappij.
Gira and Il Trombettiere di Cittiglio
Soon nicknamed Gira, Girardengo was known as a true fighter who was never shy about attacking or chasing. Binda, nicknamed Il Trombettiere di Cittiglio (the trumpet player of Cittiglio because he played a trumpet in his spare time), was known for his elegance and pure talent.
The most beautiful battle that both fought was during the Giro d'Italia of 1925 where Binda finished 1st and Girardengo 2nd. Girardengo won no less than 6 stages and Binda only 1, but the overall victory.
Tussen Girardengo en Binda was er geen echte vriendschap, ze hadden respect voor elkaar maar meer niet. Dit getuigt de enige wedstrijd die ze ooit samen als koppel reden, de 6 uren van Vélo d’Hiver in Parijs. Ze wonnen de wedstrijd en tijdens de ereronde reden ze elk langs 1 kant van de piste, zonder ook maar een glimlach of één woord, zelfs geen handdruk.
Even after their careers, they crossed paths again. Girardengo became owner and sporting director of a professional team and Binda became technical commissioner of the Italian National team with Bartali and Coppi.
Most important victories Girardengo and Binda
Costante Girardengo
- 2 times Giro d’Italia: 1919 and 1923
- 30 stages in the Giro d'Italia
- 9 times Italian champion: 1913, 1914, 1919 – 1925)
- 6 times Milaan Sanremo: 1918, 1921, 1923, 1925, 1926, 1935
- 3 times the Tour of Lombardy: 1919, 1921, 1922
- 5 times Milan – Turin: 1914, 1915, 1919, 1920, 1923
Alfredo Binda
- 5 times Giro d'Italia: 1925, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1933
- 41 stages in the Giro d'Italia
- 2 stages in the Tour de France
- 3-time world champion: 1927, 1930, 1932
- 4 times Italian champion: 1926 – 1929
- 4 times the Tour of Lombardy: 1925, 1926, 1927, 1931
- 2 times Milaan Sanremo: 1929, 1931
