Franco Fanti

Born in Northern Italy near the Swiss Border, Franco Fanti began cycling at the age of 15, following in the footsteps of his older brother Remo. During World War II, Franco was a prisoner-of-war and returned to Italy in 1945. The son of a farmer, he returned to work on the land but his dream was to be a successful cyclist. In 1947 he enjoyed 10 wins, among them the Coppa Agostoni (at that time for amateurs) by out-sprinting Zampini and Zanettini. He was selected for the World Championships at Reims that year, when the road race was won by his team-mate Alfio Ferrario. Fanto also competed in the 1948 Worlds, finishing ninth in the individual race and fourth with Ferrario and Predoni in the team event. At the London Olympics that year, Fanti finished 19th overall despite suffering a puncture.

After the Olympics, Fanti won the Swiss Giro del Lemano and the following year turned professional with the Frejus team and, with Ferdi Kubler, contested the Giro d’Italia. He competed in three more Giros alongside Fiorenzo Magni. After his active career, Fanti became Frejus team manager from 1954-70 and helped develop the careers of Oreste Magni, Aldo Pifferi and Giacomo Fornoni.