100 images from the Giro d'Italia - Gallery

On May 13, 1909, the first riders of the Giro d'Italia departed in the wee hours of the morning for the very first edition of the race. Modeled after the Tour de France and promoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport it would go on to become an enduring fixture of sport in Italy.

While the early years pre-date Cyclingnews' photo archives, the gallery begins after the decades of Italian domination in the race with Giovanni Brunero, Alfredo Binda, Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi. We pick up with the first foreign winner, Hugo Koblet of Switzerland, and Luxembourg's only winner, Charly Gaul, and have a smattering of images from Eddy Merckx's five overall victories.

Most of the photos date from the last two decades, and we hope the images can spark some fond memories and reignite your passion for the Italian Grand Tour, which celebrates its 100th edition this year.

Click or swipe through the gallery for 100 images of the 100th Giro d'Italia.

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