As spring gradually turns into summer, the cycling world awakens for one of its most beautiful rituals: the Giro d’Italia. A round that counts not only kilometers and mountains but, above all, stories. Stories of glory, drama, perseverance — and pink.
The beginning: May 13, 1909 – Milan
The first Giro was held in 1909, starting and finishing in Milan. It was the Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport that, inspired by the success of the Tour de France, decided to give Italy its own round. Eight stages, 2448 kilometers long, and won by the Milanese cycling hero Luigi Ganna, who became famous for the legendary words:
"Me brüsa el cü..."
("My ass is on fire...")— Luigi Ganna after finishing the very first Giro
This first edition sparked a sporting tradition that, more than a century later, still makes the heart of every cycling enthusiast beat faster.
Heroes in pink: the icons of the Giro
The Maglia Rosa, the iconic pink jersey, was only introduced in 1931 — as a nod to the pink paper of La Gazzetta. Since then, it has been worn by some of the greatest names in cycling history:
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Fausto Coppi – "Il Campionissimo", who won the Giro five times and made the Italian people dream in the post-war years.
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Gino Bartali – His duels with Coppi were legendary, and he even saved dozens of Jewish families during WWII by smuggling their documents… on his bike.
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Eddy Merckx – The Cannibal from Belgium. He won the Giro five times, equaling Coppi’s record, and received almost as much adoration in Italy as in his own country.
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Marco Pantani – The last Italian climber to win both the Giro and the Tour in one year. A tragic figure, but immortal in the hearts of tifosi.
Not just fame: the unfortunate ones of the Giro
Anyone who rides the Giro knows that it’s not just about winning. It’s a battle against yourself, against the weather, against mechanical failures, and sometimes against pure bad luck. Some tragic or heroic stories:
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In 1914 – still considered the toughest Giro ever – only 8 of the 81 riders completed the round. The stages often lasted more than 12 hours, on unpaved roads and without team cars.
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Giuseppe Saronni, winner of 1979, once rode an entire stage with a broken saddle post… he finished 3rd that day.
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And then there was the unknown rider from the 1930s who walked kilometers with his bike on his shoulder because his tire couldn’t be repaired — just to avoid giving up.
The Bullet celebrates the Giro: tribute in textiles
At The Bullet, we honor these epic stories with a new capsule collection around the Giro. Designed for those who love racing, character, and history.
🟣 Giro 1909 Sweater
A nostalgic nod to the beginning of the Tour of Italy. This sweater features the year of the first Giro, in several shades of pink, the color that makes the Giro so famous combined with a subtle reference to the Italian flag.
💧 Giro Bidons Sweater
A subtle, graphic ode (in the colors of the Italian flag) to the classically looking bottles of the time. Perfect for those who love racing details and design.
Design that never quenches the thirst for racing.
Why the Giro is more than just racing
The Giro d’Italia is not just a sporting event. It is a journey through the heart of Italy, through villages in the Dolomites and cities full of history. Each edition contributes to a collective memory of cycling enthusiasts, where winners are immortalized and the unfortunate also have their place in the pantheon.
The Bullet pays tribute to this legacy with unique designs for those who breathe cycling.
Because some stories are too beautiful to forget — and too stylish not to wear.
