Bitossi cycled for three years as an amateur and became a professional in October 1961, after he had reached the required age of 21. In 1970, he won the Italian championship. In 1972 he became famous for his near victory at the
World Championship in
Gap,
France, where he was beaten by only a few meters by his teammate
Marino Basso. Four years later, in 1978, he won the Italian Championship again. ==Major results==