CYCLING Gino Bartali (1914-2000) with Don Ermelindo Viganò (1906-1985); the first Rector of the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Ghisallo; the patron saint of cyclists in Italy. The Madonna del Ghisallo is particularly revered by cyclists; and on the initiative of Fr Viganò autumn of 1948 a votive torch; blessed by the pope; was brought from Rome to the sanctuary by a relay team of cyclists of the last two torchbearers were Bartali and Coppi ; Bartali read during the ceremony the act of consecration. Pope Pius XII proclaimed the Madonna del Ghisallo universal patron of cyclists in the following year. Photographic postcard. Ace; 1948.