Early Life and Amateur Career Born in Cigoli, a frazione of San Miniato in the Province of Pisa, Italy, Nello De Rossi developed an early passion for cycling. He quickly distinguished himself in the amateur ranks, showcasing his potential. A notable achievement during his amateur career was his victory in the 1951 Giro della Toscana for amateurs, a performance that highlighted his talent and paved his way to the professional peloton.
Professional Career De Rossi turned professional in 1952 and immediately made an impact. In his debut professional season, he secured a victory in the Coppa Sabatini, a respected Italian one-day race. Later that same year, he partnered with Antonio Bevilacqua to win the Trofeo Baracchi, a prestigious two-man team time trial.
Throughout the 1950s, De Rossi established himself as a prominent and consistent rider within Italian cycling and on the broader international circuit. He secured two stage victories in the illustrious Giro d'Italia, one in 1954 and another in 1955, further demonstrating his capabilities in Grand Tours.
His palmarès also includes wins in several other significant Italian one-day races, such as the Giro del Lazio (1954), Milano-Torino (1955), and the Gran Premio Industria e Commercio di Prato (1955).
One of the most significant achievements of his professional career came in 1956 when he won the overall classification of the Tour de Romandie, a challenging and highly regarded stage race held in Switzerland. He also claimed a stage victory in that particular edition.
De Rossi rode for several notable cycling teams during his career, including Bartali, Girardengo-CRE, and Ignis. His ability to perform consistently across various terrains and race formats earned him respect among his peers and a solid place in the history of Italian cycling.
Later Career and Retirement After a successful professional career spanning over a decade, Nello De Rossi retired from competitive cycling in 1964. He passed away on 13 April 2017, at the age of 86.
Major Results
- 1951
- Giro della Toscana dilettanti
- 1952
- Coppa Sabatini
- Trofeo Baracchi (with Antonio Bevilacqua)
- 1953
- Grand Prix des Nations (Italy - national circuit race)
- 1954
- Giro del Lazio
- Giro d'Italia: Stage 17
- 1955
- Milano-Torino
- Gran Premio Industria e Commercio di Prato
- Giro d'Italia: Stage 1
- 1956
- Tour de Romandie: Overall Classification, Stage 3
- Giro d'Italia: Stage 3
- 1958
- Giro d'Italia: Stage 10
- 1959
- Giro della Toscana