Lino Grassi

Lino Grassi (born September 23, 1931 in Canuzzo di Cervia , Italy ) is a former Italian cyclist .

Athletic career

Grassi grew up as the youngest of eight brothers in a farming family. After finishing school he worked as a carpenter, painter and bricklayer. After turning to cycling in 1950, he joined the Pedal Ravennate sports club in his home city of Ravenna in 1951 . By 1954 he won several regional amateur road races, such as Milan-Reggio Emilia in 1953 . In 1954 Grassi had qualified for the road world championships in Solingen , but canceled his participation because of the death of his father. 1955 was Grassi's most successful cycling season as an amateur . His twelve victories at Italian events were outshone by his 2nd place at the World Road Championships in Frascati, Italy, behind his compatriot Sante Ranucci , who only narrowly beat him in the sprint.

In autumn 1955 Grassi received a professional contract for two years from the Italian cycling team Legnano . He began his professional driving career with an 87th place in the 1956 Milan – Sanremo race and took part in the Giro d'Italia that same year . He finished two stages with a respectable 4th place, but retired in 30th place on the ascent to Monte Bondone on the 20th stage. He finished his first year as a professional with 27th place in the Lombardy Tour, 27th out of 69 places. At the Giro 1957 , Grassi was able to place in the top ten in three stages and reached 28th place in the final bill. In 1958 he moved to the Italian Torpado team, where he met the amateur world champion of 1955, Sante Ranucci . However, Grassi could not improve his racing record. The best result was a 16th place at the Giro del Piemonte among 67 classified. In the same year he took part in the Giro d'Italia again, but ended the race prematurely. After 14th place in the 1959 Milan – Turin race , he suffered serious injuries in a fall, so that he could not contest any more races during the main season. He reached his last published placement in October 1960 at the Giro del Piemonte as 21st. In spring 1961, Grassi decided to end his professional career at the age of 30.

Web links

• Lino Grassi in the Radsportseiten.net database
• Results and CV at www.museociclismo.it (it.)