Vittorio Adorni

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Vittorio Adorni was born in San Lazzaro di Parma on 14 November 1937. He began racing in 1955 and won the national amateur pursuit championship in 1959. After winning the Trofeo de Gasperi in 1960 and the Coppa San Geo, he turned professional during 1961. In his first full professional year, riding for Philco, he won stages of the Giro d'Italia and the Tour of Sardinia. Though often a domestique, he won the 1965 Giro d'Italia and the 1968 world road race championship at Imola, Italy, where he broke clear with 93 km to ride and finished 10 minutes ahead, aided by Italian teammates and Eddy Merckx, who did not chase.

Reader's Guide

Adorni's significance extends beyond his victories. According to the Cycling Hall of Fame, in 1968 he taught Eddy Merckx how to properly eat and rest during a Grand Tour, knowledge Merckx used to win his first grand tour, the Giro d'Italia, while also taking the mountains and points jerseys—a first. Adorni finished second to Merckx in that race. After retiring in 1970, he worked in insurance, became directeur sportif of the Salvarani team until 1973, and later served as president of the Italian riders' association and a commentator for RAI. In 2001 he joined the management committee of the UCI. The French magazine Vélo noted that some questioned his appointment, calling him 'Hein Verbruggen's puppet,' but described him as a respected gentleman, a patient mediator, and the 'conscience' of the UCI's Pro Tour. He also worked in public relations for the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck and the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montréal, was President of Panathlon International from 1996 to 2004, and received the Silver Olympic Order in 2000.

Did You Know?

• Adorni won the national amateur pursuit championship in 1959.
• He broke clear with 93 km still to ride in the 1968 world road race championship and finished 10 minutes ahead of the field.
• The Cycling Hall of Fame states that in 1968 Adorni taught Eddy Merckx how to properly eat and rest during a Grand Tour.
• Adorni finished second to Merckx in the Giro d'Italia where Merckx won his first grand tour and also took the mountains and points jerseys.
• He received the Silver Olympic Order in 2000.