Giacomo Bazzan

Giacomo Bazzan, originally from Vescovana in Padova, followed his older brother Nereo as a cyclist, He started his career whilst a student as an amateur with the Velo Club Mantovani Rovigo. He then moved on to the Cyclists of Padova and as a professional to the Jolly Ceramica team from 1973 onwards.

Bazzan achieved his most important successes as an amateur, twice winning the Italian championship in team pursuit (1970-71) and he was part of the world champion quartet in 1971 at the Varese velodrome. In the same edition of the World Championship he won the bronze medal in individual pursuit. At the subsequent 1972 München Olympics the Italian team suffered great disappointment when the world champions could only finish ninth in qualifying and were eliminated before the quarter-finals. As a professional Bazzan was one of Italy’s top pursuit riders on the track and represented his country at three World Track Championships narrowly missing out on the podium on two of those occasions. On the road he was used as a domestique supporting more talented road riders and usually had a busy campaign throughout the season. He rode the Giro d’Italia three times and the Tour de France once, achieving a handful of top 10 stage finishes and an overall best of 62nd at the 1975 Giro. After he concluded his competitive career, Bazzan was president of the Rovigo committee of the Federciclismo for two terms and collaborated with the FCI (Italian Cycling Federation) and the Italian Olympic Committee. By profession he was an entrepreneur in the textile sector. He passed away on Christmas night 2019 after a short illness. In honor of his sporting achievements, Bazzan was awarded a Gold Medal by the Italian Olympic Committee.