Giro d’Italia: Cycling single dedicated in Israel’s Haruvit Forest in honor of renowned cyclist Gino Bartali, who helped rescue Italian Jews during the Holocaust.
A single-track bicycle trail was dedicated in
Haruvit (Carob) Forest to the renowned Italian cyclist Gino Bartali OBM, who was honored as a Righteous Among the Nations for his efforts in rescuing Jews during the Holocaust. The ceremony took place on May 3rd 2018, just ahead of the kickoff of the Giro de Italia grand tour race in Jerusalem, with the participation of the Israeli Cycling Academy group.
The dedication ceremony for the bike trail took place the day before the opening of Giro d'Italia, one of the most important cycling races in the world. This year marked the annual race’s 101st time. In a historic first, the race kicked off in Israel, and then continued in Italy. The dedication ceremony was attended by the Israeli cycling team, the Italian ambassador to Israel, the President of
KKL Italy, the KKL-JNF emissary in Italy, as well as the granddaughter of Gino Bartali.
"All the Jews in Italy are full of admiration for Bartali’s actions," said President of KKL Italy,
Sergio Castelbolognesi. "He was a devout Catholic, an anti-fascist and a man who championed life." Referring to the Giro d'Italia, he added: “We feel great pride that the tour begins here in Israel."
Gioia Bartali, the granddaughter of renowned cyclist and resistance fighter Gino Bartali, said at the ceremony: "I am thrilled to be here today, I did not expect to feel so much love," she said. "As far as I'm concerned, the KKL has always been part of the family. My grandfather was an avid nature lover. When he would return from cycling, he would always describe the scenery and landscape he rode through, and not necessarily the competition in which he participated. A cycling trail here in Israel is the best way to commemorate him and to reflect his personality."
Gianluigi Benedetti, Italy's ambassador to Israel, said of Bartali that he was "a brave and righteous man with an exceptional personality." He described the cycling trail dedicated to his memory as "a project that symbolizes life."
The Haruvit Forest in the Judean foothills covers an area of 800 hectares between Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Beer Sheva. The KKL-JNF has developed parks, playgrounds, access roads and bicycle paths in the forest, and the single-track dedicated to Bartali stretches for 13 kilometers. KKL Italy has adopted this track and pledged to develop it.
The ceremony was hosted by Navah Arieli, KKL-JNF’s emissary in Italy. KKL-JNF’s management was represented by Nisan Cialik, Vice Chairman of KKL-JNF. "This event, which is dedicated to a great cycling champion with a unique personality, touches the hearts of us all," he said. "We will continue to cultivate our ties with the Italian community and strengthen relations between our peoples."
Gino Bartali is considered one of the greatest Italian cyclists of all time. He won, among others, the Giro d'Italia (1936, 1937 and 1946) and the Tour de France (1938 and 1948). During World War II, he was active in the underground in Assisi, and helped Christian clergy rescue Jewish refugees and smuggle them out to safety.
As part of his cycling training, he rode his bicycle everywhere, and did so without arousing suspicion. He used the rides to collect photographs of refugees from the monasteries, in order to attach them to forge identity cards, after which he would return the finished documents the refugees. He would hide the documents in the bicycle chassis, saddle and prayer book he carried with him. After being interrogated by the Fascist police and warned not to contact the underground, he sent his family into hiding and continued his activities.
Bartali passed away in 2000, and it was only three years later that his actions first came to light. According to testimonies, he was involved in the rescue of 800 Jews. The President of Italy awarded him the Gold Medal for Civil Heroism. In 2013, he was recognized by Yad Vashem as a Righteous Among the Nations.
Several members of the Israeli Cycling Academy, which includes professional Israeli cyclists, are participating in the Giro. Some representatives of the Academy attended the ceremony in the Haruvit Forest in order to honor Bartali. Among them were them Roy and Omer Goldstein, brothers from Gilon.
"It is a great honor to dedicate this track and expose the public to more single-tracks for cycling," said Roy. "This also an opportunity to show the beautiful landscapes of our country. It is very important that trails such as this exist, that enable people to practice and enjoy nature."
"The sport of cycling has been developing greatly in Israel in recent years," added Omer. "The arrival of the Giro is the biggest sporting event ever held here, an amazing experience and a dream come true."
The Giro d'Italia race kicked off the next day in Jerusalem. Over the following days, it advanced through other parts of the country - from Acre in the north to Eilat in the south, and then continued in Italy. The route will end in Rome towards the end of the month. By then, the cyclists will have covered 3,546 kilometers in 21 cycling segments.
"I am very proud of my grandfather, not only for his achievements as an athlete, but mainly for his humanity," said Gioia Bartali. "It makes me very happy that many people will ride along this path and get to know his story."