| Coppi's 4th Lombardia Victory in a Row
The 43rd edition of the Giro di Lombardia was held on October 23, 1949.
SPECIAL NOTE: in 1949 a local priest convinced Pope Pius XII to declare the chapel on the Ghisallo Pass, the Madonna del Ghisallo, as the patroness of cyclists.
The race started at 10:13 a.m. on a gloomy and foggy day. More questionable weather would follow.
Race Status:
In Varese (50 km / 222 km), rain began to fall.
On the Brinzio climb (56 km / 222 km), the pace increased when Vito Ortelli (Atala) slipped on the wet road, crashing heavily. He was forced to abandon the race.
Near Valbrona (133 km / 222 km), the rain abated and Pasquale Fornara (Legnano) attacked. He maintained a lead of twenty seconds.
The race exploded on the lakefront when Coppi punctured and quickly lost 40". He quickly repaired the tire and started an extremely fast chase.
Fornara reached the start of the Madonna del Ghisallo climb (133 km / 231 km) first, but he was chased by a strung-out peloton.
After reconnecting with the leaders Coppi attacked, but misfortune hit again. After replacing the wheel earlier, his chain was not tight enough and the gears would not hold. Coppi was forced to push a huge gear. Slowed but not deterred, he continued the climb.
At the summits Coppi preceded Frenchman Pierre Molineris (Fra-Stella) by two hundred meters. Chasing Pierre Baratin (Fra-Rhonson) arrived at 45" behind, Fornara (Legnano) at 55", Giorgio Albani (Legnano) at 1'27".
Coppi on his way to a 4th consecutive Lombardia victory!
Over the summit Coppi’s fast descent put time on a cautious Molineris. The tired Frenchman swerved on a tight turn and fell heavily.
With 56 km to the finish, a solo Coppi remained in the lead. His advantage continued to increase.
In Desio (202 km / 222 km), his advantage grew to 2'50".
The tifosi enthusiastically greeted his passage and after a 56 km solo breakaway Coppi entered the Vigorelli Velodrome first. He rolled across the finish to gain his fourth consecutive victory!!!
SPECIAL NOTE: Coppi's victory in 1949 marked a moment of great prestige for the Italian cyclist, who had already won for the third consecutive time in 1948. This victory helped cement his status as one of the greatest names in Italian cycling of the twentieth century.
SPECIAL NOTE: 'Campionissimo' Fausto Coppi became the first rider to achieve the Tripletta (the Italian Triple) by winning Milan-San Remo, the Giro d'Italia, and the Giro di Lombardia in the same year!!!
GdL October 23, 1949 |
222 Km, Milan-Milan (Vigorelli Velodrome) |
1.
Fausto COPPI (Ita) 5h 50’30” |
2.
Ferdi Kubler (Sui) +2’52” |
3.
Cino Cinelli (Ita) |
Starters: 109 / Finishers: 92 Average Speed: 38.003 km/h |
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Lomb 1948 Lomb 1950
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