gino bartali was born in ponte a ema, florence, italy, the third son of four children of a smallholder, torello bartali. he was powerfully built, with a broad nose and a boxer's face. he earned pocket money by selling raffia to makers of covers for wine bottles. he began work in a bicycle shop when he was 13. he started racing at 13, became a promising amateur and turned professional in 1935 when he was 21. he was italian champion the next year. on 14 november 1940 bartali married adriana bani in florence. the wedding was celebrated by cardinal della costa and was blessed by pope pius xii, to whom bartali donated a bicycle.