A NEW MUSICAL

THE SECRET LIFE OF GINO BARTALI

BASED ON A True Story

The Glory of a Remarkable Story.

— ITALY 1942 —

Fascism holds Florence in a grip of fear. Mussolini’s Blackshirts hunt down innocents, using every weapon in their arsenal—guns, tanks, and terror. Gino Bartali, the most famous athlete in Europe, has only one weapon: his bicycle. So how did Gino manage to save hundreds of people, outwitting Fascists, Nazis, and even Mussolini himself? And why didn’t he tell anyone what he did? GLORY RIDE brings this extraordinary true story of hope, resilience, and the power of the human spirit to life in a thrilling new musical.

The Creatives

The London Premiere Company

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★★★★★

“Les Mis meets Le Tour... it's excellent!”

★★★★★

“A beautiful story of joy that everyone should see.”

Watch the Trailer

Watch the West End Live Performance

About The Show

Legendary Tour de France champion Gino Bartali led a secret life. During World War II, Gino conspired with the Cardinal of Florence and a mysterious accountant to save hundreds of persecuted innocents from Mussolini's Fascists. Cycling thousands of miles, this unlikely team pulled off an incredible heist, creating the fastest resistance network the world never knew about...until now.

GLORY RIDE, by daughter-father team Victoria & Todd Buchholz, brings Gino's amazing true story to the stage. With a soaring score, GLORY RIDE transports audiences to the hills of Tuscany for an unforgettable emotional adventure.

From April to July 2023, GLORY RIDE premiered at London’s eminent Charing Cross Theatre. With rave reviews and wonderful word-of-mouth, GLORY RIDE sold out houses, drawing in not just musical theatre-goers but cyclists, sports fans, and history buffs.

Now the journey continues as GLORY RIDE races to its next phase. Exciting news about GLORY RIDE is on the horizon.

Join the Ride!

VIDEO

Who is Gino Bartali?

In the 1940s, Gino Bartali was the most famous man in Italy—after Mussolini. His Tour de France and Giro d’Italia victories earned him the nicknames ‘The Lion Man of Tuscany’ and ‘King of the Mountains.’ But Gino had more than mountains to climb. His greatest accomplishment would come amid the darkness of Fascism. With his cycling career as a cover, Bartali pedaled thousands of miles between cities across Italy, hiding falsified identity cards and other secret documents to help victims of World War II escape Mussolini’s regime.

Gino’s efforts saved hundreds of persecuted innocents, many of whom were children. When Gino Bartali died in 2000, Italy grieved for one of its most beloved sporting heroes. Only then did stories emerge of his double life, one that the unassuming Tuscan had kept quiet for so long. GLORY RIDE reveals Gino’s remarkable story.