Franco Balmamion

Franco Balmamion (born January 11, 1940 in Nole Canavese near Turin ) is a former Italian cyclist .

Balmion's professional career began at the age of 21 in 1961. In the same year he competed in the Giro d'Italia 1961 and finished second on the first stage. He achieved his greatest successes in the following two years when he won the overall ranking of the Giro d'Italia in 1962 and 1963 . Balmion participated in a total of eleven Giri d'Italia , of which he finished ten. He was placed in the top ten six more times, including second in 1967 .

Balmion took part in the Tour de France five times, finishing third in 1967, his best placement. His other successes included the championship in Zurich in 1963 and the Italian championship title in 1967.

In 1972 he ended his career as a professional driver, in which he had finished 14 road races and two stage races as the winner.