The history of Italian cycling is rich with races that are no longer held but have made history: for this reason, we thought of introducing a new column that would bring them out of the memory drawer. If you have an archive photo in a drawer, a newspaper clipping, or wish to tell the story of this or that race, do not hesitate to write to us at info@tuttobiciweb.it or daniloviga@gmail.com. Enjoy reading.

The Pina and Mario Bazzigaluppi Trophy was raced in Vigevano, on the roads of Lomellina in Pavia, with many young cyclists battling to not only win prestige but also secure a candidacy for professional ranks. Born from Gianfranco Bazzigaluppi's passion to honor the memory of his parents Pina and Mario (nicknamed Bandera), the latter being president of Viris Vigevano (founded in 1947) between the Sixties and Seventies, precisely from 1967 to 1975. The race, which became an international amateur classic, was established in 1983 by the Bazzigaluppi family with the support of Giacomo Chiesa, Leonardo Pirro and Benito Peraro and the Viris society at the time chaired by Giuseppe Crivelli. Initially for the junior category, the competition was definitively launched in the European amateur circuit in 1997 when it acquired the international label.
Giuseppe Pagnoncelli was the first to celebrate victory, under the rain, in the first edition of 1983. He was racing for GS San Gervasio and at the sprint he overcame Walter Bedendo of Pedale Monzese and Mauro Morlacchi of US Nervianese. The following year, Moreno Chiaravalli won ahead of Enea Mazzoleni and Davide Beretta, while in 1985 the success went to Gabriele Rampollo who, in SC Lomello jersey, prevailed over Giovanni Pederzoli and Luca Bollati. Twelve months later, Mosè Comparini, from Cernuschese, anticipated Luca Pozzi and Antonio Agardi. The triumphs of Giampaolo Cremonesi in 1987 and Riccardo Veglia in 1988 followed.

In 1989, the Pina and Mario Bazzigaluppi Trophy raised its technical-competitive value, with the jump to second-category amateurs. The new experience welcomed the triumph of Massimo Esposito, from Pedale Melegnanese, who, in addition to the victory, set the record average of 45.325. Stefanio Frosi and Fausto Musso completed the podium. The 1990 edition was very curious. It was not disputed due to the change of president, from Alberto Bocca to Marino Cividati, but the Trophy was still awarded to the track and field champion Laurent Ottoz, son of Eddy Ottoz, two-time European champion of 110 meters hurdles and three-time European champion of 60 meters indoor hurdles.

The cycling race resumed in 1991, still for second-category amateurs. Sergio Giannosso, then of Omnigel Latte Bassi, imposed himself, whose sprint was fatal to Angelo Fervari and Mauro Cocca. Luca Passoni in '92 was able to anticipate his teammate Massimo Falgari, signing the double for Gatorade. Viris narrowly missed the podium with Ampelio Mantovani's fourth position, who finished behind Massimo Gottardi, the third-place finisher.

The Trophy's level rose again in intensity and quality in 1993 when it became for first and second-category amateurs. It was held in May, and Valerio Suigo, from Canavesi Mobili Landoni, won by overcoming his breakaway companions Rigamonti, Grassi, and Contarin. The quality of those years was truly very high, and in May '94, Massimo Maestri, from Panor-Pagnoncelli, prevented Valerio Suigo from winning again, who had to settle for second place. Alessandro Pozzi finished third: he would become a significant figure in the history of Viris Vigevano. The following year, Alessandro Pozzi himself scored, and by a significant margin. Viris Vigevano transformed that edition into a triumph, placing Gianluigi Vezzoli in second place. For Bazzigaluppi and associates, it was a memorable day. Another Pozzi (Oscar) rose to prominence in 1996. Racing for Ceramiche Pagnoncelli, on that occasion he emerged in Vigevano, beating his teammate Marco Giroletti and Ettore Re from Mobili Lissone.

The international race trademark definitively launched the Trophy in 1997, establishing itself among the most coveted targets of the category. The new era opens with the winning move of Marco Cannone. The Sanpellegrino Bottoli Artoni athlete closes ahead of his teammate Daniele Galli, while the Tuscan Fabio Trinci (Monsummanese Bedogni) regulates De Biase and the Czech Ermel for third place. Among the placings was also Latvian Romans Vainsteins, who three years later (2000) became world champion among professionals in Plouay. The 1998 edition was also characterized by a compact sprint in which Alessio Girelli, from Italfine Podenzano, prevailed ahead of Ukrainian Fedenko and Raffaele Bosi. The winner was awarded by the late Giancarlo Cerutti, then president of the FCI. Despite the challenging route and the long distance of 173 kilometers, the 1999 edition again ended with a general sprint in which the strength of the Edile Rosa OK Baby Gaverina team emerged, with Brescian Marco Zanotti winning over his teammate Raffaele Bosi: third was Nicola Chesini from Pagnoncelli. Ukrainians, Russians, Lithuanians, Germans, and Belarusians were the big losers. And here we are in 2000 with the new Century rewarding the finisseur Simone Cadamuro. With a precise acceleration towards the finish, the Venetian from Sanpellegrino Bottoli Artoni, at that time led by Secondo Volpi, imposed himself by a few meters over Ukrainian Khalilov, his teammate Giambelli, the other Ukrainian Luhoviy, and the Swiss Elimger and Rast. All people who later turned professional. 2001 marked the return to victory for Ceramiche Pagnoncelli with Alberto Cappelletti. The son of art Claudio Pizzofferrato prevailed over his adventure companion Alessandro Checchi. In the top ten, seven were foreigners: the Uzbek Nuritdinov (third), the Slovenian Sviben, the Ukrainians Zagorodniy, Radchenko, Yakovlev and Rudenko, and the Russian Lambin. Finally, foreigners had their moment of glory in 2002 thanks to the Czech Peter Klasa. With the jersey of Ceramiche Pagnoncelli, Klasa managed to beat Gabriele Bosisio from Team Aurora in a two-man finale. Then, Cappa, Murro, Yakushev, Dyudya, and the Australian Godfrey arrived in sequence at the finish line. The last edition was also a celebration for the colors of Ceramiche Pagnoncelli: Maurizio Biondo won over Diego Caccia (Bottoli Artoni Zoccorinese) and the Swiss Tapparel.

The Pina and Mario Bazzigaluppi Trophy, paired with the Giro della Lomellina, said goodbye to the roads after 21 editions. Thanks to the Bazzigaluppi family and Viris Vigevano, this race carved out an important space in the history of European amateur cycling. With 6 victories, Ceramiche Pagnoncelli was the most victorious team.

Special thanks to Gianfranco Bazzigaluppi for his collaboration

HONOR ROLL
1983- Giuseppe Pagnoncelli (GS San Gervasio)
1984- Moreno Chiaravalli (UC Bustese)
1985- Gabriele Rampollo (SC Lomello)
1986- Mosè Comparini (GS Cernuschese Tino Gadda)
1987- Gian Paolo Cremonesi (SC Moreschi Baronchelli)
1988- Riccardo Veglia (Brunero Boeris)
1989- Massimo Esposito (Pedale Melegnanese)
1990- not disputed
1991- Sergio Giannosso (GS Omnigel Latte Bassi)
1992- Luca Passoni (GC Gatorade)
1993- Valerio Suigo (SC Canavesi Mobili Landoni)
1994- Massimo Maestri (SC Panor Pagnoncelli)
1995- Alessandro Pozzi (Viris Vigevano)
1996- Oscar Pozzi (Ceramiche Pagnoncelli)
1997- Marco Cannone (Sanpellegrino Bottoli Artoni)
1998- Alessio Girelli (Italfine Podenzano)
1999- Marco Zanotti (L'Edile Rosa Ok Baby Gaverina)
2000- Simone Cadamuro (Sanpellegrino Bottoli Artoni)
2001- Claudio Pizzoferrato (Ceramiche Pagnoncelli Perrel)
2002- Peter Klasa (Cze-Ceramiche Pagnoncelli Perrel)
2003- Paride Grillo (Ceramiche Pagnoncelli Perrel)
2004- Maurizio Biondo (Ceramiche Pagnoncelli Perrel)