Nino Borsari

Nino Borsari
Personal information
Born (1911-12-14)14 December 1911
Cavezzo, Italy
Died 31 March 1996(1996-03-31) (aged 84)
Carlton, Victoria, Australia
Medal record
Representing  Italy
Cycling
Olympic Games
1932 Los Angeles Team pursuit

Nino Borsari (14 December 1911 – 31 March 1996) was an Italian cyclist who won a gold medal in the 4000 metres team pursuit event at the 1932 Summer Olympics.[1]

In 1934 Borsari traveled to Australia to compete in the Centenary 1000, one week road bicycle race over seven stages covering 1,102 miles (1,773 km). The race was run in as part of the celebrations of the Centenary of Victoria.[2] Paul Chocque a member of the French silver medal team pursuit at the 1932 Summer Olympics also competed. Commenting before the race, Hubert Opperman stated that Bosari "is a mystery. Gay and laughing always, he does not appear to view the contest with any trepidation and, frankly, on his mileage to date, I feel that he will not figure prominently early."[3] Borsari did not figure in the results of the first two stages, but was 2nd fastest in A Grade in Stage 3, having won the town sprints in Ararat and Ballarat[4] Borsari rode strongly in the arduous sixth stage, extended to 152 miles (245 km) after stage 5 had to be stopped at Mount Buffalo due to a torrential downpour of rain hail and sleet.,[5] being crowned "Champion of the Alps" as the first A Grade rider into Omeo,[6] and was 2nd in A Grade at Sale, behind Richard Lamb.[7] Borsari backed up again in the final stage, coming 3rd in the A Grade sprint,[8] and finishing 5th overall.[9]

Along the way Borsari made a point of selecting the prettiest girl at Warrnambool.[10]

Borsari returned Italy and rode the 1936 Giro d'Italia but finished well outside the places. He returned to Australia in 1939 and was stranded at the start of World War II. He was not interned during the war and opened his bicycle shop, Borsari Cycles in 1942.[11]

In 1948 Borsari assisted in Melbourne's bid for the 1956 Summer Olympic Games [11] The corner of Lygon Street and Grattan Street in Carlton, Victoria, Australia has been known for decades as Borsari's Corner. A neon sign depicting Borsari on his track bicycle under the Olympic Rings marks the corner, over Borsari Ristorante. Next-door is the Borsario Building, and one door further down is Borsari Cycles.

Palmarès

1932
1st, gold medalist(s) 1932 Los Angeles | Team pursuit
1934
2nd Milano – Modena, Modena (Emilia-Romagna), Italy
3rd Corsa del Commercio, (Milano (a)) , Milano (Lombardia), Italy
Centenary 1000
2nd in A Grade Stage 3 [4]
Champion of the Alps – Mt Buffalo to Omeo
4th and 2nd fastest Stage 6
3rd in A Grade stage 7
5th Overall in championship
1935
1st Piacenza (a), Piacenza (Emilia-Romagna), Italy
1936
Giro d'Italia

References

  1. ↑ "Nino Borsari". sports-reference. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  2. ↑ "Great cycle road race for centenary". Sporting Globe (Melbourne, Vic. : 1922 – 1954). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 11 April 1934. p. 10.
  3. ↑ "Opperman sizes up Opponents in big test". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 17 October 1934. p. 13.
  4. 1 2 "Centenary thousand surprise". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 24 October 1934. p. 19.
  5. ↑ "Cyclists delayed". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 26 October 1934. p. 12.
  6. ↑ "Borsari! Champion of the Alps.". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 31 October 1934. p. 12.
  7. ↑ "Sore Trial For Cyclists". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 27 October 1934. p. 18.
  8. ↑ "Centenary 1000 Results Championship". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 27 October 1934. p. 4.
  9. ↑ "Official Placings For Race". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 31 October 1934. p. 14 Edition: Edition1.
  10. ↑ "Borsari Selects The Prettiest Girl". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 24 October 1934. p. 12.
  11. 1 2 "Obituary Nino Borsari". cyclingnews.com.
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