Italian great Felice Gimondi became only the second rider in history to win all three Grand Tours when he won the Vuelta a Espana in 1968, just three years after turning professional.

‘The Phoenix’, who later went on to become world champion in 1973, won the Tour de France in 1965 and followed it with victory at Paris-Roubaix the following year.

A former Tour de l’Avenir winner, Gimondi was a neo-pro in 1965 when he was drafted into Salvarini’s Tour de France team at the last minute.

Gimondi won three stages on his way to sealing overall victory, including a stage from Roubaix to Rouen and the final day’s individual time trial into Paris, which helped him seal a winning margin of 2’40”.

The following year he soloed to victory in the Roubaix Velodrome, crossing the finish line more than four minutes ahead of a large chasing group.