The cycling scene in Turin has produced numerous champions and holds many stories. Fortunately, many of these have been chronicled and collected by dedicated journalists and writers. However, there's another story of Turin cycling that has received little to no attention: that of the craftsmen and small entrepreneurs from Turin. With their passion and masterful craftsmanship, they played a significant role in the great successes of cycling. It seems fitting, therefore, to dedicate this book to the great Turiner, Tommaso Nieddu, who profoundly shaped the history of cycling with his knowledge and skill.

Reflecting on the bicycle since its invention, it has symbolized a new mode of transportation, representing a completely novel, revolutionary, and universally accessible means of travel. The technical and artisanal tradition deeply rooted in Turin's history traces back to the city's heritage: the Turin workshops and arsenals of the House of Savoy produced generations of talented technicians and craftsmen responsible for crafting weapons, vehicles, and more. This gradually gave rise to a comprehensive metallurgical industry, evolving into remarkable craftsmanship. By the late 19th century, this tradition led to the establishment of numerous small and medium-sized production and craft businesses dedicated to the manufacture of bicycles, motorcycles, and automobiles.

The protagonist of our story was born into this dynamic and productive environment, which reached its peak in the 1920s and 1930s. However, this dynamism and productivity would later be gradually absorbed by the Fiat factories.