Values of Catholic sport, Catholic values of sport. The attitude of the Catholic Church towards cycling.

The attitude of the Roman Catholic Church towards riding a bicycle and cycling competitions has not always been so kind as it is today. According to many 19th century testimonies, the most rigid Catholics would strongly object to riding a bicycle. Priests were forbidden to by their bishop. If the Christian youth clubs' members used to ride out in the country, many a Catholic, for whom gymnastics remained the sport activity, kept blaming cycle-racing. This widespread blame involved the heroes of the Tour de France and of the outstanding races and it lasted until the mid-thirties. Then, Pope Pie XII and the Italian Church started to praise those champions, such as Gino Bartali, whose stamina and efforts enhanced the Christian values.