Gino Bartali: The champion who risked his life to defy the Nazis

As the Tour de France is preparing to start in a few days in Italy, we take the time to look at one of the icons of our sport. Italian champion cyclist Gino Bartali won the biggest cycling races in the world, multiple times. He was a three-time winner of the Giro d'Italia and a two-time winner of the Tour de France. But this is only half of the story he is now remembered for.

When Gino Bartali died in 2000, the world was about to discover one big secret.

The acclaimed cyclist might have won some of the biggest races in the world, but success at the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France were only a small part of his story.

After a successful early start to his career with wins at the Giro d'Italia in 1936 and 1937, and the Tour De France in 1938, the world erupted. World War II interrupted cycling races for several years - there was a five-year hiatus for the Tour of Italy and seven year gap for the Tour de France.

The full story of Gino Bartali's heroic actions in defiance of the Nazis during WWI only began to emerge after his death.

Bartali risked his life to help Jews seeking refuge, couriering counterfeit identity papers hidden in his bicycle on long training rides. It is estimated that his actions saved more than 800 lives.

Gino Bartali's incredible story was episode four of Who's Your Don Bradman, a podcast series hosted by Christophe Mallet and Dario Castaldo, with sound design from Max Gosford.

YOu can listen to the complete series of episodes from Who's Your Don Bradman? The stories of inspiring sporting heroes idolised around the world but perhaps unknown here in Australia. You can also follow the podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or the SBS Radio App

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