Nino BORSARI

Nino Borsari was born in Cavezzo, Italy and won his gold medal in the team pursuit in 1932. But he became famous in the United States and Australia. After the Los Angeles Olympics, he was asked to race frequently in 6-day races at Madison Square Garden. He was a brilliant showman and was beloved by the Garden crowds. In 1934 he was first invited to race in Australia in the Victorian Centenary Cycling Tour. Also popular there, he returned to Australia in 1939, as hostilities were breaking out in Europe. Despite being Italian, at a time when Italy and Australia were technically at war, Borsari opened a cycling shop in the Carlton section of Melbourne, and prospered. The shop remained open for 50 years. He became an ambassador for cycling in Australia and used his fame to bring many Italian cyclists to race there. He was also the founder, president, and patron of the Juventus Soccer Club.