Francesco Moser

Francesco “Lo sceriffo” Moser is a former professional road bicycle racer. Moser’s professional career started in 1973, and it was not long before he became a dominant racer. Moser won the 1984 Giro d’Italia, the 1977 World Road Racing Championship. Over his time racing, Moser also won the 1974 Paris-Tours, the 1977 Zuri-Metzgete, the 1979 Gent-Wevelgem and the 1977 Fleche Wallonne. Moser participated in the Tour de France in 1975 and won the young rider competition, but that was his last time riding in it because the mountains did not suit him. During the 1972 Summer Olympics, Moser participated in the individual road race and team trial events. In January 1984, Moser broke the 1972 hour record set by Eddy Merckx by riding 50.808 kilometers on an aerodynamic bike. Moser later auctioned off the bicycle to help benefit UNICEF. In 1999, Moser admitted to using blood doping while breaking the record, but at the time it was not illegal. In 1987, Moser retired from bicycle racing.