Ferdinando TERRUZZI

Ferdinando Terruzzi was one of the top Italian amateur track sprinters of the 1940s. Winning his only Italian sprint title in 1942, he later was under the shadow of Mario Ghella and won sprint silvers at the 1943 and 1944 Italian amateur championships, sprint bronzes in 1946 and 1947 and pursuit bronze in 1947. In 1948, Terruzzi was selected to the Italian Olympic team and won the tandem gold medal with Renato Perona.

After the Olympics, Terruzzi turned professional and competed as professional until 1967. During his career, he competed for such teams as Nivea-Fuchs, Carpano, Crescent, Molteni and Ignis. A six-day racing specialist, Terruzzi competed in 149 six-day races with various partners during his career, winning 25 times including races in Milan, Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, New York and Melbourne. He also finished second in six-day races 39 times and third 19 times. This record earned him the nickname of “King of Six Days.” Terruzzi also won the 1957 European professional Madison championships and the 1958 European 100 km track championships. After finishing his sporting career, Terruzzi opened a bicycle shop in Sarteano.