For the first time in history, the great French competition will begin in Florence. This first stage will be run in honour of cycling champion Gino Bartali (1914-2000), who won the Tour de France in 1938 and again in 1948. Bartali also won the Giro d’Itali (the second-oldest of the 3 Grand Tours) in 1936, 1937, and 1946. You may have noticed the dates and the large gap in between championships: World War II. Bartali was called to fight, but due to a heart condition became a messenger, using, of course, his bicycle. He did more than just deliver messages, however. Bartali delivered false identity cards, saving hundreds of Italian and European Jewish citizens’ lives. You can read more about this heroic (and selfless) tale in The Road to Valor.
from: https://www.comune.fi.it/tour-de-france
