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By Barry Boyce, CyclingRevealed Historian
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Neo-Pro Survives a Deluge and the "Finishing Chaos" for the Victory
The 47th edition of the Giro di Lombardia was held on October 25, 1953.
The race departured Milan at 10:00 a.m. and headed onto the northern plains of Lombardia.
Race Status:
When the race passed through Giussano, with 35 km to go, an 11-rider final selection drove a fast pace returning to Milan.
[11-rider breakaway: Fiorenzo Magni (Ita-Ganna), Pasquale Fornara (Ita-Cilo), Stan Ockers (Bel-Peugeot), Pino Cerami (Ita-Peugeot), Bruno Landi (Ita-Fiorelli), Pierre Molineris (Fra-Fiorelli), Mino De Rossi (Ita-Bianchi), Donato Zampini (Ita-Benotti), Bruno Monti (Ita-Arbos), Angelo Conterno (Ita-Frejus), and Jean De Valck (Bel-Bury)]
A heavy rain started late in the race and forced the organizers to move the finish line from the wooden track of the Vigorelli Velodrome to the access road leading into the velodrome.
Chaos greeted the riders at the final roundabout before the finish line. An inadvertent hand signal by a course marshal sent 9 of the 11 riders off course. The lead riders followed the official’s pace car and only realized their mistake thanks to the shouts of the spectators. Pino Cerami (Peugeot) and neo-pro Bruno Landi (Fiorelli), riding at the back of the group, were confused by the other riders’ mistake, but took advantage and jumped away.
The two hit the correct finishing straight and contested the final sprint. The young Italian held off Cerami to score a huge Lombardia victory.
Fiorenzo Magni filed heated protest, but it was denied by race officials.
GdL October 25, 1953 |
222 Km, Milan-Milan (Vigorelli Velodrome) |
1.
Bruno LANDI (Ita) 6h01'50" |
2.
Pino Cerami (Bel) |
3.
Pierre Molineris (Fra) |
Starters: 142 / Finishers: 67 Average Speed: 36.812 km/h |
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Lomb 1952 Lomb 1954
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