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Friday, August 19, 2022
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(By Aldo Sfalcin, Via Italia Bike Race Association)
The Erie Street Bicycle Race has become an important tradition
in the Italian community, and in the city of Windsor. |
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P10522 - Cyclists lined up outside St. Angela church
on Erie St. ready for the 1964 race to begin. Courtesy of St. Angela
Merici Church
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The first bicycle race was held on
November 2, 1958, with the help of Gianni Sovran, who was then
an avid bike fan of the Italian community. |
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| Inspired
by a painting, which he had seen on the wall in the St. Angela Merici
Church Hall, depicting the “Giro D’Italia Bike Race”,
Mr. Sovran dreamed of holding such a race in the city of Windsor. He
discussed the idea of the race with his nephew, Ezio Orlando, who,
at that time, was actively involved in the sport. Ezio had once said
that he had brought the sport of bike racing with him from Italy in
his
baggage. |
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At that point, Mr. Orlando, together with three other bike racers—Peter
Girardi, Vince Muzzin and Silvio Muzzatti, spent a great deal of
time searching for a suitable location for the event. They decided
upon the l.7 kilometre course of Erie Street, Parent Avenue, Giles
Boulevard and Howard Avenue—the course which is still being |
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The first Erie Street bicycle race held November 2, 1958. Courtesy of Alfio Golini.
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used for the race today, in the heart of the Italian
community. |
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| The preparations, which were necessary
to conduct the first race, were many. Mr. Tullio Meconi, who was then
part of the Windsor Italia Club, presented the idea of holding a race
to City Council, and requested permission to close the streets for
the event. City Council agreed to the proposition, on the condition
that
the Chief of Police also supported the event. Accompanied by a priest
from the parish of St. Angela Merici Church, Mr. Ezio Orlando went
to discuss the race with Mr. Gordon Preston who was Chief of Police
at that time, and an enthusiastic sport fan. Mr. Preston willingly
granted permission to hold the race. In addition, he volunteered his
services,
as well as those of four Windsor officers, two of whom were on motorcycles,
to assist at the race. The work of these gentlemen was very much appreciated.
It is also interesting to note that Mr. Preston was also the official
starter of the race. |
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In a very short time, Mr. Ezio Orlando and his team spread the
news of the race to other cycling fans, who were eager to offer
their assistance to ensure the event's success. Many people aided
with the preparations for the race. Such people as Alfio Golini,
Toni Dadamo Sr., Frank Padovan, Alfio Papa, Emilio Paducci, Joe
Ala, Nicolino DiDonato, |
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Original members of the cycling club. Courtesy of Alfio Golini.
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Alfredo Morando, Marco Palazzi, Elio Danelon, Marisa,
Luigi and Renato Chemello, and others, helped in a |
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| number of ways, such as collecting contributions,
registering riders, controlling traffic, etc… |
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In addition to those who generously offered their services, there
were many companies, organizations and people who donated gifts
and money as prizes for the winners of the race. In order to raise
money for the event, Triphon Van Hooren, who had raced back in
his native Belgium and loved the sport, visited companies
in the city, such as |
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P10753 - Erie Street bike race circa 1973. Courtesy of Aldo Sfalcin.
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Hiram Walker Ltd., asking for support. Mr. Van Hooren
also donated the winner’s trophy for the race. In addition, |
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| Mr. Mike Walden, who at that time was
the president of the Wolverines Bicycle Racing Club in Michigan, donated
the racing
numbers and the
safety pins which were used for the event. Darcisio Basili donated
and assembled the announcer’s stand. His son, Peter Basili, later
made the same contribution for another race. In addition,
Eros and Alderina Zaghi of Alderina’s Fashion Boutique became
involved with their donation of a handmade woollen racing jersey
on which was written “Windsor Champion” and a bouquet of
flowers for the race winner (A jersey was also donated this year, from
Eros and Alderina). |
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Mr. Ezio Orlando called the event, “The Tour of Windsor”.
On the day of the first race, in 1958, over 15,000 enthusiastic
fans crowded Erie Street to watch Mr. Tom Liptrop, of Hamilton,
Ontario, win the race and take home fifty dollars, the champion’s
jersey, the trophy, and flowers. The results of the race were as
follows: Billy Freund – |
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P10752 - The Erie Street bicycle race organizers organized a race in downtown Windsor, circa 1971. Courtesy of Aldo Sfalcin
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second place, Vince Muzzin – third place, Silvio
Muzzatti – fourth place, Bill Olsen – fifth place,
Claire Young – sixth place, Pete Girardi – seventh
place. |
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It is due to the spirit of these first men and
women, and to the hard work, sense of commitment, and vision
of many since then, that the race has continued through the years,
and hopefully will continue to be a tradition, and a culturally
important event for the sport of bike racing in Windsor’s
Italian community. For many years, the Erie Street Bicycle Race
has provided an opportunity for riders from all over the world
to visit our area to compete against other Canadian riders, many
of whom are from the city of Windsor. The race has served to
bring the community closer together, as friends
and
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P10754 - Aldo Sfalcin with Miss Italia, following the Erie Street bike
race, 1975. Courtesy of Aldo Sfalcin
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families gather on the streets to cheer those riders
from Windsor, who have devoted long hours of hard work in training
to represent our area in the event. It has given our local businesses
and organizations the opportunity to offer donations, to keep the
tradition of the Erie Street Bicycle Race alive, and to support
an event which serves to build the community. |
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The
opinions and interpretations in this publication are those of the author
and do not necessarily reflect those of the Government of Canada. |
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