A reckless challenge! (colour litho)

A reckless challenge! Convinced he had the makings of a great runner, the telegraph bellboy Francesco Uva, 19, from Milan, challenged none other than Fausto Coppi in a speed race. The champion, showing a lot of spirit, accepted and the singular duel took place during a show organized by Television, instead of the street, or the track, there were rollers that, moved by bicycle wheels, were connected to a dial with two hands. Bad luck wanted the mechanism to fail so that the playful race had to stop when the two were about equal. So nothing in fact. But the animous telegraph deliveryman received as a gift, from the hands of Fausto Coppi, a splendid brand new racing bicycle. Illustration for Courier Sunday, 12 December 1954.