Hall of Fame
Winner

2023

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Franco
Balmamion

Italia

Date of birth
11/01/1940

Place of birth
Nole Canavese

Career start
1961

Career end
1972

Giro
wins

Giro participations

Stage won

Nicknamed "L'Aquila del Canavese" (The Eagle of Canavese), Franco Balmamion was a precocious champion, capable of winning the Giro d'Italia in his second year as a professional (1962) and then pulling it off again in the following edition (1963). Balmamion was the ultimate regular rider, a real in-betweener, strong both uphill and in time trials, the only he lacked was a fast sprint. In his twelve participations in the Corsa Rosa he did not win a single stage, although he ended up on the final podium again in 1967, when he closed behind Felice Gimondi. Born in 1940, Franco Balmamion is the oldest living winner of the Giro d'Italia.