MAGLIA NERA
The glory of arriving eventually.It takes know-how to finish last.
Not broom wagon last, but stylish, revel-in-the-glory-of-your-humanity last.
The Maglia Nera, or “black jersey,” was introduced in the 1946 Giro d’Italia to recognize the last-place rider in the general classification. The jersey stood for perseverance and courage and was inspired by soccer star Giuseppe Ticozzelli, who, in the 1926 Giro and while wearing his black Casale team jersey, got smoked by a car and had to drop out of the race.
The Maglia Nera was not an official classification so much as a bit of humour honouring riders who dealt with mechanicals, wipeouts, or illness but still (unlike Ticozzelli) managed to cross the finish line.
For years, cycling fans minted heroes among increasing ranks of loveable losers who hid in barns and flattened their tires to postpone their finish and claim dark glory. Then, in 1951, the Giro nixed the Maglia Nera because they thought it tainted the event’s prestige.
Still, many of us have a bit of maglia nera in our blood. As a species, we’re a rolling paradox of Strava-obsessed, overpriced-gear-loving lunatics who scream ON YOUR LEFT!! but think nothing of a mid-ride dismount for a ristretto and a crumb of dolce.
Which is how it should be.
It’s been a hundred years since Ticozzelli took one for the team, and his spirit lives. So next Sunday, take it easy. If you see a stranded rider, pull over, pause your Garmin, and boldly proclaim, “Sono il tuo cavaliere della MAGLIA NERA!” Kiss them on both cheeks. They won’t know what you’re going on about, and you might get punched in the face, but sometimes that’s the price of legendary.
