The story of Giuseppe Olmo, better known as Gepin, is that of a winner, both as a sportsman – a fine cyclist both on road and track – and later on as a businessman. His first occupation soon brought him fame and glory. He first showed his worth in 1931 when called up for the world cup in Denmark as part of the Italian “azzurri” amateur team. He managed a second place in the road race second only to Hansen who was performing at home in front of his fans. Confirmation of Gepin’s class came the following year in the Los Angeles Olympics, where he took gold in the time team races and came fourth in the singles, which, incidentally, was won by his fellow countryman Pavesi.
At this stage Gepin understandably felt he was ready for professional racing: he signed a contract with Bianchi and took part in his first Giro d’Italia in 1933 where he won two prestigious stages. It was these two victories that made Gepin a household name and launched him into a career full of wonderful achievements. Among others the folloing successes should be remembered, his two great victories at the Milan-Sanremo races in 1935 and 1938, the twenty overall stage wins in the Giro d’Italia (in the 1936 table he ranked second only to the great Bartali), his win of the road race championship in 1936 and the track championship in 1940.