Maglia nera

The Black jersey or Maglia Nera was awarded 1946-1951 symbolically to those cyclists who finished last in the Giro d' Italia in the overall standings after the completion of all stages. The award of the "black shirts " was associated with monetary rewards.

The "black jersey " offered drivers who were not strong enough to take stage wins and the overall rating, the opportunity to draw attention to themselves.

In 1948 the jersey to Aldo Bini, the Giro had to push his bike despite a broken wrist to end drove stay in the mountains and often. Last jersey winner was Giovanni Pinarello, founder of the well-known bicycle brand.

Legendary are the " battles " between Sante Carollo and Luigi Malabrocca to the jersey at the Giro d' Italia in 1949, where it is said that Malabrocca strove for the money, to be the last, while Carollo was really bad. Malabrocca tried as much time to lose that, by hiding in bars, barns or behind hedges. He is said to have even sabotaged his own bike. 1952 managed Malabrocca to resign in this manner the 40 km between Novara and Milan in three hours and 15 minutes, which would have corresponded to a speed of about twelve miles an hour. Thereupon the "black jersey " abolished.

Giro 2008 was a "black number" assigned which won the German driver Markus Eichler of the Milram team.

2006, the one-person play " La Maglia Nera " was first performed by and with Matteo Caccia in Italy, which deals with the rivalry between Carollo and Malabrocca.

Support of the "black shirts "

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