"My Italian Secret"

[Mr. Pink]

I was messing around in Peacock, looking to see if there was any TDF previews, and found this documentary about Gino Bartali, the Italian TDF winner before and after WWII, who was part of a network that helped save thousands of Italian Jews from the Nazis. Fascinating story, well done.

https://youtu.be/9v1csrPZvUY

[CSKeller]

Wow!! Thanks for the info. I will check it out. Sounds like quite an amazing story.

[XXtwindad]

It’s a great doc. And why he’s one of my favorite cyclists. I think the quote attributed to him is that true heroism has the medals pinned on the inside.

[robt57]

Just finished watching. Wow, not cycling targeted at all.

But Bartali stayed busy training while WWII stopped the Giro and TDF for the duration. He said he was training, he was transporting false papers for SS targets. Hiding them in his seat tube under Nazi radar with complete success.

Wow...

Apparently his actions were instrumental and saving over 800 lives all told, Just wow!!

[j_b]

Great documentary, and what a story. The book entitled "Road to Valor", written by Aili McConnon, is equally as compelling.

[robertbb]

I had the pleasure of meeting Bartali's grand daughter Gioia at the Giro D'Italia in Israel a few years ago (below we're pointing at Gino's name which has been enshrined in the memorial of the righteous at the Holocaust museum in Jerusalem).

She was absolutely lovely and gracious and the magnitude of what her grandfather did is not lost on her for a moment.

[Elefantino]

It’s a great story and the book “Road to Valor” is a great read about Bartali.

He was a true hero.

[rwsaunders]

Originally Posted by Elefantino

It’s a great story and the book “Road to Valor” is a great read about Bartali. He was a true hero.

Yep…read the book a few years back and we can’t relate to those times at all.

[Elefantino]

Originally Posted by rwsaunders

Yep…read the book a few years back and we can’t relate to those times at all.

There was an Italian TV movie made of the story, but since I learned of it I've jonesed for a Hollywood take.

[2oldTi]

Outstanding film.
The director's wife is also a filmmaker and made RBG (the Ruth Bader Ginsberg biography).
Not much of a cycling film, but a really well done and interesting bio

[terry]

I read the book years ago-now I’ve gotta watch that video. Thanks for the tip.

[9tubes]

Originally Posted by robertbb

I had the pleasure of meeting Bartali's grand daughter Gioia at the Giro D'Italia in Israel a few years ago (below we're pointing at Gino's name which has been enshrined in the memorial of the righteous at the Holocaust museum in Jerusalem).

She was absolutely lovely and gracious and the magnitude of what her grandfather did is not lost on her for a moment.

Gino has another granddaughter Lisa, who runs a site called Biciclettami about Gino that you can find on Facebook.

Also: www.biciclettami.it/en

Also on Instagram: lisa_bartali_biciclettami

[2000m2]

Originally Posted by Elefantino

It’s a great story and the book “Road to Valor” is a great read about Bartali.

He was a true hero.

Thanks for posting about this. I downloaded the audiobook for a long drive and it was great. Really enjoyed it.

[cnighbor1]

his Bio book Free to lend
Helps to rear Italian however