Fausto Coppi had already won the first of five Giro d’Italia titles when he conquered the hour record in 1942 in Milan.

On a bike now displayed at the Madonna del Ghisallo chapel close to Lake Como, Coppi beat Maurice Archambaud’s mark of 45.767km by just 31 metres.

Of course, Coppi, one of the greatest cyclists to ever live, would go on to enjoy a phenomenal career, also winning the Tour de France twice, in 1949 and 1952.

Nicknamed the ‘Champion of Champions’, Coppi also claimed the rainbow jersey of world road race champion in 1953, won Milan-San Remo three times and the Giro di Lombardia on five occasions.

Coppi’s hour record, meanwhile, was to stand for 14 years until Jacques Anquetil conquered it in 1956. Speaking of whom…