The Erie Street Bicycle Race -has become an important tradition in the Italian community and in the city of Windsor. We, as part of the community, are very much indebted to those who originally gave of their time and effort to pursue the dream that they had to see the race held in their own city of Windsor.
The first bicycle race was held on November 2,1958 with the help of Gianni Sovran who was then an avid bike fan of the Italian community. Inspired by a painting which he had seen on the wall in the St. Angela Merici Church Hall depicting the “Giro D’ltalia Bike Race”, Mr. Sovran dreamed of holding such a race in the city of Windsor. He discussed the idea of the race with his nephew, Ezio Orlando, who, at that time, was actively involved in the sport. Ezio had once told me that he had brought the sport of bike racing with him from Italy in his baggage.
At that point, Mr. Orlando, together with three other bike racers- Peter Girardi, Vince Muzzin and Silvio Muzzatti, spent a great deal of time searching for a suitable location for the event. They decided upon the 1 .7 kilometer course of Erie Street, Parent Avenue, Giles Boulevard and Howard Avenue -the course which is sti1l being used for the race today in the heart of the Italian community.
The preparations which were necessary to conduct the first race were many. Mr. Tullio Meconi, who was then part of the Windsor Italia Club, presented the idea of holding a race to City Council and requested permission to close the streets for the event. City Council agreed to the proposition on the condition that the Chief of Police also supported the event. Accompanied by a priest from the parish of St. Angela Merici Church, Mr. Ezio Orlando went to discuss the race with Mr. Gordon Preston who was Chief of Police at that time and an enthusiastic sport fan. Mr. Preston willingly granted permission to hold the race. In addition, he volunteered his services as well as those of four Windsor officers, two of whom were on motorcycles, to assist at the race. The work of these gentlemen was very much appreciated. It is also interesting to note that Mr. Preston was also the official starter of the race.
In a very short time, Mr. Ezio Orlando and his team spread the news of the race to other cycling fans who were eager to offer their assistance to ensure the event’s success. Many people aided with the preparations for the race. Such people as Alfio Golini, Toni Dadamo Sr., Frank Padovan, Alfio Papa, Emilio Paducci, Joe Ala, Nicolino DiDonato, Alfredo Morando, Marco Palazzi, Elio Danelon, Marisa, Luigi and Renato Chemello, and others helped in a number of ways such as collecting contributions, registering riders, controlling traffic, etc.
In addition to those who generously offered their services, there were many companies, organizations and people who donated gifts and money as prizes for the winners of the race. In order to raise money for the event, Triphon Van Hooren, who had raced back in his native Belgium and loved the sport, visited companies in the city such as Hiram Walker asking for support. Mr. Van Hooren also also donated the winners trophy for the race. In addition, Mr. Mike Walden, who at that time was the president of the Wolverines Bicycle Racing Club in Michigan, donated the racing numbers and the safety pins which were used for the event. Darcisio Basili donated and assembled the announcer’s stand. His son, Peter Basili, is making the same contribution for this year’s race. In addition, Eros and Alderina Zaghi of Alderina’s fashion Boutique became involved with their donation of a handmade woolen racing jersey on which was written “Windsor Champion” and a bouquet of flowers for the race winner. A jersey wasalso donated this year from Eros and Alderina.
Mr. Ezio Orlando called the event “The Tour of Windsor”. On the day of the first race in 1958, over 15,000 enthusiastic fans crowded Erie Street to watch Mr. Tom Liptrop of Hamilton, Ontario win the race and take home fifty dollars, the champion’s jersey, the trophy, and flowers. The results of the race were as follows: Billy Freund-second place; Vince Muzzin-third place; Silvio Muzzatti- fourth place; Bill Olsen-fifth place; Claire Young-sixth place; Pete Girardi-seventh place.
It is due to the spirit of these first men and women and to the hard work, sense of commitment, and vision of many since then, that the race has continued through the years and hopefully will continue to be a tradition and a culturally important event for the sport of bike racing in Windsor’s Italian community. For many years, the Erie Street Bicycle Race has provided an opportunity for riders from all over the world to visit our area to compete against other Canadian riders, many of whom are from our own city of Windsor. The race has served to bring the community closer together as friends and families gather on the streets to cheer those riders of our own city of Windsor who have devoted long hours of hard work in training to represent our area in the event. It has given our local businesses and organizations the opportunity to offer donations to keep the tradition of the Erie Street Bicycle Race alive and to support an event which serves to build the community. Through the race, these businesses have also had the opportunity to serve the public who come out to join in the activities of the day and to show these people their hospitality. At this year’s event we are honouring Mr. Ezio Orlando and presenting him with a medal and trophy in recognition of his many years of selfless work and dedication to the sport of cycling and to this historical bicycle race.
(Courtesy of Maple Leaf Cycling Club)
