The amazing story of champion cyclist Gino Bartali and how he helped
save the lives of 800 Jews during World War II.
Italy, 1943. Although allied with Hitler, there were those who refused
to accept the fascist policies of racial discrimination and deportation.
Among them was Gino Bartali.
A champion cyclist, he won the Giro d'Italia (Tour of Italy) three times
and the Tour de France twice. But these weren't his only achievements.
Deeply religious, Bartali never spoke about what he did during those
dark years, when he agreed to work with the Resistance and pass messages
from one end of the country to the other. Despite the dangers, Bartali
used his training as a pretext to criss-cross Italy, hiding documents in
the handlebars and saddle of his bicycle, all the while hoping that each
time he was searched they wouldn't think to disassemble his machine.
As a result of his bravery, 800 Jews -- including numerous children --
were saved from deportation. He died in Florence in 2000 and was
recognized as one of the 'Righteous Among the Nations' in 2013. In this
book, Alberto Toscano shares the incredible story of this great
sportsman and recalls the dramatic moments in Italy and Europe in the
twentieth century.