The International Reconciliation

The 1946 Tour faced the same question that confronted all post-war institutions: how to handle German and Italian participation. The solution was pragmatic if not entirely satisfactory. Germans remained excluded—the wounds too fresh, the logistics too complex given occupation zones. Italians, their nation having switched sides in 1943, were welcomed back, though not without controversy.

Gino Bartali's Return

Gino Bartali's return symbolized cycling's capacity for redemption. His secret wartime heroism unknown, he was simply the pre-war champion seeking to reclaim glory. At 32, many considered him too old, his best years stolen by war. His presence provided continuity with cycling's past while his rivalry with young teammate Fausto Coppi pointed toward its future.

The Italian team's reception varied by region. In areas that had suffered under Italian occupation, hostility was palpable. Elsewhere, cycling fans' appreciation for talent overcame national animosity. When Bartali won stages, even French crowds applauded, recognizing courage that transcended nationality.