Coppi's First Lombardia Victory
The 40th edition of the Giro di Lombardia was held on October 27, 1946.
SPECIAL NOTE: The post-World War 2 revival of Italy and Italian cycling was in full evidence in 1946.
The race rolled off from the Boldinasco shooting range (in a southern suburb of Milan) at 10:00 a.m.
Race Status:
An early breakaway of six riders included Osvaldo Bailo (Gestri), Giuseppe Fazio (Isolati), Tino Ausenda (Isolati), Primo Giorgetti (Isolati), Riccardo Sarti (Isolati), and Belgian Arie Vooren (Isolati), formed and built a 2’30” lead by Varese (50 km / 231 km).
Fausto Coppi’s Team Bianchi controlled the peloton with no significant splits in the group on the initial flat roads. The early breakaway posed no immediate threat to the favorites.
The field began to thin on the ascent to Brinzio (56 km / 231 km). On the first major climb “Campionissimo” Gino Bartali crashed heavily and struggled to recover. During his chase he trailed by 5‘35”.
The breakaway rode over the Brinzio summit 20” ahead of the Coppi led chase group.
After a puncture on the second passage through Varese, Bartali abandoned the race.
On the rolling hills approaching Como (107 km / 231 km), multiple attackers tried to escape. However, it took a Coppi counterattack to form a 20-rider lead group.
The Valbrona climb (133 km / 231 km), gave the relentless Coppi another attack. Alertly the group chased and the peloton reformed approaching the Madonna del Ghisallo climb.
Over the summit of the Madonna del Ghisallo (133 km / 231 km), the race remained aggressive with no decisive escapes being allowed.
Returning along Lake Como, the race remained strained. The race flew across the final kms into Milan.
Five km from the finish, Fausto Coppi (Bianchi) executed a definitive attack. He quickly gained 200 meters. The two chasers, Michele Motta (Welter), and Luigi Casola (Bianchi), who was working for Coppi, failed to organize an effective pursuit.
Fausto Coppi (Bianchi) used the late surge to break away and rode across the finish line for an impressive 40” victory.
Luigi Casola (Bianchi) sprinted past Michele Motta (Welter) to finish in second place.
SPECIAL NOTE: Coppi’s first of five Lombardia victories came in 1946.
GdL October 27, 1946 |
231 Km, Milan-Milan (Vigorelli Velodrome) |
1.
Fausto COPPI (Ita) 6h24'30" |
2.
Luigi Casola (Ita) +40" |
3.
Michele Motta (Ita) |
Starters: 129 / Finishers: 50 Average Speed: 36.961 km/h |
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Lomb 1945 Lomb 1947
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