Petrucci Sprinted Home
The 43rd Milan-San Remo Classicissimawas held on March 19, 1952.
The media put forward a list of favorites for the 1952 M-SR: Louison Bobet (defending M-SR champion), Ferdi Kubler (reigning World RR Champion), Italian sprinter Loretto Petrucci (third at M-SR 1951) and the 37-year-old Campionissimo Gino Bartali.
SPECIAL NOTE: Fausto Coppi entered but was recovering from the untimely death of his brother Serse (victim of a fatal crash at the Giro del Piemonte).
When the starter’s flag dropped the usual breakaways happened. Part of the aggressive racing had Fausto Coppi attacking early on the plains of Lombardia. Coppi’s danger-move crumbled when Fiorenzo Magni’s Ganna team closed the gap.
Race Status:
World Champion Ferdi Kubler (Sui) crashed in Pavia (33 km / 282 km). He did return to the race, but further mechanical problems forced him to abandon.
At the summit of the Turchino Pass (131 Km / 282 km), Marcello Ciolli (Frejus) passed first but a puncture stopped him in the tunnel. Donato Piazza (Bianchi) took over from André Blomme (Isolati) in the lead.
In Savona (189 Km / 282 km), a regrouping of a dozen riders held a lead of 3’21” on the peloton.
Through Albenga (231 km / 282 km), the group in the lead was chased by Frenchman Jean "Leather Head" Robic (Colomb), Alfredo Martini (Welter), and Armando Barducci (Frejus) at 50".
On the Capo Berta (265 Km / 282 km), Giuseppe Minardi (Legnano) remained in the lead, but Robic, Lido Sartini (Benotto) and Wout Wagtmans (Garin) had him in sight. Loretto Petrucci (Bianchi) and Raphael Geminiani (Bianchi) led a group at 1’00". Coppi became annoyed by blocking tactics of other teams.
In San Remo 14 riders fought for the victory in the sprint on the Via Roma.
Donato Piazza (Bianchi) launched the lead-out. Teammate Loretto Petrucci came off his wheel at the 100-meter mark and crossed the finish line first.
Minardi finished second and Frenchman Serge Blusson (Stella) third.
Loretto Petrucci’s winning sprint.
M-SR March 19, 1952 / 282 Km |
1.
Loretto PETRUCCI (Ita) 7h22'07" |
2.
Giuseppe Minardi (Ita) |
3.
Serge Blusson (Fra) |
Starters: 196 / Finishers: 115  Average Speed : 38.270 km/h |
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M-SR 1951
M-SR 1953
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