Balmamion Collection

Inspired by the previously untold story of Franco Balmamion, who won the Giro d’Italia in 1962 & 1963.

At the beginning of 1962, nobody knew Franco Balmamion. By the end of the following year’s Giro, he had secured his place in cycling history by becoming the first Italian since Fausto Coppi to defend his title.

At 4180 kilometres, the 1962 Giro was extremely long. It was also murderously hard and 22-year-old Franco Balmamion was given little chance but emerged three weeks later to take the first of two Giro titles.

After Balmamion won the 1962 Giro, a consensus emerged that he’d been lucky. However, headed into the final Dolomite stage of the 1963 edition, his ‘luck’ had held once again. Balmamion rode to a second title and into cycling immortality.

Really fun shoot this for Rapha. Please enjoy the pictures. Model: Joe Cox. Art Direction for Rapha: Andy Edwards. Production: Bethan Moore. Photography Assistant: James Parker. Shot at Loft Studios NW8.