Italian cycling is mourning the passing of Michele Dancelli, winner of Classics such as Milan-San Remo, as well as multiple Grand Tour stages.
A combative all-rounder, Dancelli rode professionally throughout the Eddy Merckx era, signing for Molteni in 1963 and embarking upon a 13-year career that also saw him ride in other Italian trade teams like Scic, Vittadello and Pepsi-Cola.
Up against the likes of Merckx and Felice Gimondi, Dancelli’s was not the easiest era in which to win the biggest races in the world. He was fourth in the Giro d’Italia on GC (1970) and sixth twice (1968, 69). But Dancelli did win 11 stages of his home tour, including a haul of four in 1970, which surely must count as his annus mirabilis. There was also a Tour de France stage along the way, taken at Thonon-les-Bains in 1969 – his only participation in that race.
“I’ve always loved life,” he said. “If I’d had Gimondi’s mind, I’d have won everything, even the Grand Tours. I loved girls and the good life. Yes, I admit, I was a bit of a rascal.”
