Fiorenzo Magni: Controversial cycling champion

Magni wins the 22nd and final stage of the 1953 Tour de France at Parc des Princes in Paris; he finished 15th overall (AFP)

Fiorenzo Magni, who died yesterday at the age of 91, was one of the biggest and most controversial names from the golden age of post-war Italian cycling.

Magni, who joined Mussolini's National Fascist Party in 1943, was the "third man" of the golden age of Italian cycling at the time of the rivalry between Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi. The Tuscan won the Giro D'Italia in 1948, 1951 and 1955, but was accused of cheating his way to his first victory.

Weak on the big mountain climbs, he was docked two minutes for being helped up the Pordoi mountain stage amid claims that fans had been strategically placed to push him up the hill. Despite the punishment, Magni still had possession of the pink jersey, and Coppi withdrew from the race in protest, while Magni was booed as he crossed the line.

He had his best chance to win the Tour De France in 1950, but he was forced to retire during the 12th stage while wearing the yellow jersey. His Wilier Triestina team-mate insisted the entire team withdraw after he had been attacked on Col d'Aspin by angry French fans convinced he had caused the fall of Jean Robic.

Magni will arguably best be remembered for an extraordinary act of bravery on the 1956 Giro when he broke his collarbone and carried on racing. Tying a rope to his bike and holding it with his teeth in order to give himself pedalling leverage, he amazingly finished second overall.

Magni was banned from cycling in 1946 and subsequently put on trial for allegedly fighting partisans during the so-called "massacre of Valibona" in Tuscany during the Second World War. He denied any part in the killings, though admitted to being a part of a fascist militia. Magni was acquitted of the charges.

"It is with immense sorrow that the Italian Association of Professional Racing Cyclists says goodbye to Fiorenzo Magni," the organisation said in a statement. "A great champion and man, and one of the founders of this association in 1946. [We] say goodbye with tears in our eyes, thanking him for what he succeeded in doing."