Fausto Coppi's Record Setting 5th Lombardia Victory
The 48th edition of the Giro di Lombardia was held on October 31, 1954.
SPECIAL NOTE: Four-time Giro di Lombardia winner Fausto Coppi came to Milan dealing with personal problems caused by the arrest of his mistress (Giulia Occhini, the Woman in White) for adultery a month earlier. Coppi entered the race seeking an escape from the turmoil surrounding the affair.
The race departured Milan at 10:00 a.m. on a typical autumn day in Italy... rain and fog.
Race Status:
The first action came from Primo Volpi (Arbos), Michele Gismondi (Bianchi) and Remo Fornasiero (Atala), who attacked and arrived at the foot of Brinzio (56 km / 222 km), with a 40" gap on a chase group led by Ferdi Kubler (Fiorelli) and Loretto Petrucci (Lygie) and 1'10" on the peloton.
In Binago (74 km / 222 km), the peloton came back together.
On the Albese climb (118 km / 222 km), Kubler and Rik Van Steenbergen (Mercier) crashed out and abandoned the race.
In Valbrona (118 km / 222 km), a breakaway of seven riders included Franco Aureggi (Legnano), Michele Gismondi (Bianchi), Mino Del Rio (Bianchi), Jean Robic (Gitane), Giuseppe Buratti (Frejus), Walter Serena (Bottecchia), and Valerio Chiarlone (Welterweight).
In Onno (128 km / 222 km), the seven attackers led the peloton by 40".
On the Madonna di Ghisallo climb (138 km / 222 km), the rain continued. Robic lost ground due to mechanical problems, Del Rio, Aureggi and Gismondi struggle with the pace, while Primo Volpi (Arbos) leads the chase in the peloton.
Coppi was off his form of previous years and did not break away from the group on his usual launching pad, the Ghisallo Pass. Team Welter’s Valerio Chiarlone led over the summit with Coppi chasing a few seconds behind.
On the descent Coppi reached Chiarlone and Eldo Moser (Torpado). From behind Fiorenzo Magni (Nivea) led the first chase group.
A ten-rider group formed and rode into the velodrome to contest the sprint. Serena enters the velodrome first followed by Magni, Coppi, Giorgio Albani (Legnano) and seven others.
Coppi, pushing a huge gear, attacked immediately. Only Fiorenzo Magni could hold his wheel. Fausto Coppi held off Magni’s challenge and crossed the finish line for his FIFTH Lombardia victory!
Coppi leading Magni (R) over the finish line
The Campionissimo gained his fifth victory at the age of 35! The tifosi went crazy and Fausto Coppi expressed his joy like never before!
GdL October 31, 1954 |
222 Km, Milan-Milan (Vigorelli Velodrome) |
1.
Fausto COPPI (Ita) 5h51'33" |
2.
Fiorenzo Magni (Ita) |
3.
Mino De Rossi (Ita) |
Starters: 127 / Finishers: 83 Average Speed: 37.415 km/h |
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Lomb 1953 Lomb 1955
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