6th Vuelta a Espana 1946

Foreigners Begin to Return

The 6th edition of the Vuelta a Espana in 1946 saw Europe struggling to recover from the devastation of World War 2. Last year's Vuelta podium was a totally Iberian competition without the participation of the great foreign riders, but this year the Vuleta welcomed the return of foreign riders.

The Spanish roads were so bad that riders suffered numerous punctures and precious time loses. Dalmacio Langarica slowly chipped away at the race lead of Manuel Costa (Spa) and provided major excitement on the 215 km Stage 12 from Tortosa to Barcelona. A breakaway of 5 riders started by Langarica included Costa. Mid-way through the stage, bad road conditions caused the aggressive Langarica problems. A puncture slowed his effort and the repairs took almost 3 minutes. Undaunted Langarica remounted and started an all out solo chase. He regained the breakaway group near Barcelona and with display of great fitness won the stage in Montjuich.

The race began to unravel for Manuel Costa on Stage 16. The race leader experienced a terrible succession of events. Langarica and Costa climbed the Urkiola together in company of the Swiss rider Georges Aeschlimann, Emilio Rodriguez (Spa), and Bernardo Ruiz (Spa). Suddenly Costa broke a wheel. Quickly Costa reacted and committed a fatal error. Rather than waiting for the team car he exchanged bikes with teammate Joaquim Olmos. The exchange was illegal and Costa is assessed a 10 minute penalty. At the finish in Bilbao Langarica gained his 3rd stage win. Race leader Costa lost another 3'59”, but he retained his overall lead by only 1'40” over the hard charging Langarica.

The penultimate stage came on the tough 110 km Stage 18 from Santander to Reinosa. A decisive move by Langarica and Emilio Rodriguez came on the climb of the Col de Castillo Pedroso. Slowly Costa's downward spiral continued and the race leader was dropped from the group. Costa's time deficit is 4'09” to Langarica at the finish in Reinosa. Langarica gained the race lead.

Dalmacio Langarica (L) and KoM winner Emilio Rodriguez (R)

Dalmacio Langarica´s excellent level of fitness allowed him to comeback from a large time deficit and gain the lead in the General Classification. He arrived in Madrid as the 1946 Vuelta a Espana champion. Emilio Rodriguez won the Mountain Classification.

SPECIAL NOTE: Delio Rodriguez achieved five more stage wins and increased his record number of stage wins to 31.

VaE 1945

VaE 1947

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