Perfection

In 1948, Gino Bartali rode to one of the greatest victories ever in the Tour de France. Winner of stages 1, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, and 19, Bartali was thirty-four-years-old and at the peak of his form. He was first on five of the seven mountain stages, and finished the race with a 26 minutes 16 seconds over second-place Brik Schotte.

This image shows Bartali on his way to winning stage one. Note the tape on the brake levers and on top of the toe clips, internally routed rear brake cable, single water bottle cage, 1-piece thorn catchers, single chainring, Campagnolo shifter and quick releases, and large tubulars. From "But et Club" No.127, 1 July 1948.

Click on pic for very large image.