just as it seemed the communists would stage a full-scale revolt, a deputy ran into the chamber shouting 'bartali's won the tour de france!' all differences were at once forgotten as the feuding politicians applauded and congratulated each other on a cause for such national pride. that day, with immaculate timing, togliatti awoke from his coma on his hospital bed, inquired how the tour was going, and recommended calm. all over the country political animosities were for the time being swept aside by the celebrations and a looming crisis was averted.