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November, the Month of the Indomitable

November, the Month of the Indomitable

If there is one characteristic shared by several of the Giro d’Italia legends who have birthdays this November, it is their ability to challenge established norms.

In the case of Tom Dumoulin, who turns 35 this November 11th, there was enormous sacrifice and the ability to recognize his own weaknesses, but above all, an immense talent. The ‘Butterfly of Maastricht’ was close to writing a dynasty in the Corsa Rosa: he emphatically conquered the 2017 edition in Milan by winning both time trials and resisting in the mountains, with a few episodes bordering on the comical. In 2018, only one of the best stage racers of the 21st century could stop him: Chris Froome, who, en route to Jafferau, delivered one of the most epic actions in the race’s recent history.

Relive the highlights of stage 21 of the 2017 Giro d’Italia

Relive the highlights of stage 14 of the Giro d’Italia 2017

But if we are talking about mythical stage racers and riders of pure grit, we must remember three who have birthdays on Friday, November 14th. Vincenzo Nibali (41) will always remain in the pantheon of the best Italian cyclists of all time for his determination, for never giving up, and for the infinite class that flowed from his legs. The ‘Shark of Messina’ took home two Trofei Senza Fine (2013 and 2016), part of a “trefoil” of Grand Tour victories that only seven riders have completed.

Relive the highlights of stage 19 of the Giro d’Italia 2016

Relive the highlights of stage 20 of the Giro d’Italia 2013

November, birthdays of the lions

In addition to Isaac del Toro, whom we will soon have the opportunity to discuss on giroditalia.it, the man whom Tadej Pogacar ‘erased’ from the statistics last 2024 also celebrates his birthday in November – he does so next Friday the 28th.

Stephen Roche (66) was the last male cyclist, before ‘Pogi’, to conquer the ‘Triple Crown’ with the Giro, Tour, and World Championship in the same year in 1987. The famous ‘betrayal of Sappada’, against Roberto Visentini, was the first step towards that triple feat.

Another who achieved this was Bernard Hinault (71), with three Giro victories (1980, 1982, and 1985) to add to his five Tours de France and two Vueltas a España, an unrepeatable cyclist due to his visceral character and infinite ambition. The ‘trident’ is completed by another illustrious member of the Giro d’Italia Hall of Fame, the beloved Vittorio Adorni, who passed away three years ago on Christmas Eve with eleven stages won in the Corsa Rosa and one general classification victory (1965).