Marino Basso

Marino Basso (born 1 June 1945) is an Italian former professional road racing cyclist, considered one of the best sprinters of his generation. He won the World Cycling Championship in 1972. Basso was born at Rettorgole di Caldogno, in the Veneto. He was one of the main sprinters of the 1970s, often duelling with Belgians Patrick Sercu, Guido Reybroeck and Roger de Vlaeminck, and fellow Italian Dino Zandegù. Basso won a total of 15 stages at the Giro d'Italia, 6 at the Tour de France and 6 at the Vuelta a España. He was Giro d'Italia's points classification winner in 1971 and the Italian national champion in 1972. He is not related to Italian cyclist Ivan Basso, but his brother Alcide founded Basso Bikes. After his professional career, Basso became a manager at a number of teams, including Preti Mangimi.