Belgian Sprinter Conquers the Late "tri-Capi"
The 46th Milan-San Remo Classicissimawas held on March 19, 1955.
The media determined favorites for victory included thirty-five-year-old Fausto Coppi, Italian champion Fiorenzo Magni, World Champion Louison Bobet and defending M-SR champion Rik Van Steenbergen.
The typical spring weather for M-SR was “rain at the start” and “sun at the finish”. 1955 would provide typical Italian weather for this year’s race. New President of the Unione Velocipedistica Italiana (U.V.I.) Angelo Farina, served as this year’s guest starter, dropped the flag at 8:30 a.m.
Across the plains of Lombardia the sprinters collected the cash premes as the contenders waited for the Ligurian coast to start their race.
Race Status:
In a fridged sleet on the climb of the Turchino Pass (131 Km / 282 km), Gianni Ferlenghi (Bianchi) passed the summit first, winning the mountain preme. The peloton trailed by 2’00”.
On the descent Donato Piazza (Nivea) sprinted into the lead and in Genova-Voltri (160 km / 282 km), gained an advantage of 2'31".
At the entrance of Vado Ligure (197 km / 282 km), he was caught. A 70-rider peloton formed in lead the race.
On the climb of the Capo Mele (253 km / 282 km), the first of the famous "tri-Capi", Bernard Gauthier (Fra) and Germain Derijcke (Bel) launched a well-timed attack. Their lead held steady through the remaining two climbs.
On the Capo Berta (267 km /282 km), the Belgian and the Frenchman accelerated, and Mauro Giannaschi (Arbos) lost 100 meters, while Bobet was at 40" and the peloton at 1'30".
Descending the final climb, the Capo Berta, young Italian Giannaschi and reigning World Champion Louison Bobet (L. Bobet) caught the leaders on the outskirts of San Remo.
At the entrance of San Remo, the reunion was complete. Germain Derijcke (Alcyon) imposed the long sprint at 300 meters that forced everyone to surrender. Down the Via Roma the Belgian sprinter flew past his breakaway companions and won the 46th edition of Milan-San Remo.
M-SR March 19, 1955 / 282 Km |
1.
Germain DERIJCKE (Bel) 7h03'46" |
2.
Bernard Gauthier (Fra) |
3.
Jean Bobet (Fra) +3 |
Starters: 167 / Finishers: 104  Average Speed : 39.923 km/h |
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M-SR 1954
M-SR 1956
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