Agostoni Ends an Italian M-SR Slump
The 8th edition of Milan-San Remo was held on April 5, 1914.
The miserable weather in Northern Italy did not stop the enthusiasm in Milan. Led by the Italian National champion, Costante Girardengo (Maino), the seventy-two riders rolled out of Milan. Given the high average speed of the previous year, race officials pushed back the start to 6:15 am.
SPECIAL NOTE: The international appeal of M-SR expanded in 1914 with the addition of three Australian riders, Donald Kirkham (Aus-Atala), Iddo Munro (Aus-Atala), and Charles Piercey (Aus-Atala).
Across the Lombardia plains the sprinters contested the many "cash premes" offered by the town squares along the route
Race Status:
In Ovada (113 km into the race / 286.5 km), the first two hours of the race were traveled at a fast pace, but at the Ovada checkpoint the attentive peloton was a compact group.
Re-grouping at the summit of the Turchino.
The climb of the Passo Turchino (131 km / 286.5 km), did not inspire attacks until the last two kilometers to the summit. Frenchman Jean Alavoine (Peugeot) and Australian Iddo "Snowy" Munro attacked and separated from the peloton.
On the descent, delayed by punctures, the two leaders were both passed a small six-rider group. The speed on the descent saw small groups constantly separating and reforming as the race entered the Ligurian Coast.
In Voltri (161 km / 286.5 km), Vincenzo Borgarello (Ita-Atala) and Ugo Agostoni (Ita-Maino) broke away again. Lorenzo Saccone (Bianchi) and Ezio Corlaita (Peugeot) drove the hard pace of the chasing group.
At the control station in Savona (203 km / 286.5 km), the breakaway group was reduced to five riders: Carlo Galetti (Bianchi), Luigi Ganna (Ganna), Munro, Giuseppe Santhia (Ganna) and Frenchman Charles Crupelandt (La Francaise).
In Oneglia (254 km / 286.5 km) six pursuers including Alavoine and Crupelandt, then Agostoni and Santhià joined the breakaway group.
On the road to Capo Berta, another re-grouping occurred and the lead group increased to twenty-two riders. As soon as the road started to climb, Galetti tried an unsuccessful attack.
Shortly after Oneglia, a closed “level crossing” (railraod gate) allowed Ganna and Vincenzo Borgarello to catch the leaders.
The leaders rolling along the Ligurian coast
Close to the finish in San Remo, while the large peloton prepared for the sprint, a reckless driven car caused Borgarello to crash.
The misfortune also took down two additional riders. In the confusion the peloton to split. Agostoni and Galetti took advantage of the chaos and rode away.
The sprint began from 400 meters, the young Ugo Agostoni (Maino) surprisingly sprinted past the veteran Carlo Galetti (Bianchi) for the victory. Frenchmen Charles Crupelandt (La Francaise) had to settle for third place.
Ugo Agostoni became only the second Italian rider to win the prestigious Milan-San Remo. Agostoni ended a 4 year ‘Italian victory' drought.
SPECIAL NOTE: Ugo Agostoni at the age of 20 years and 252 days became the youngest winner Milan-San Remo.
M-SR April 5, 1914 / 286.5 Km |
1.
Ugo AGOSTONI (Ita) 10h32'32" |
2.
Carlo Galetti (Ita) |
3.
Charles Crupelandt (Fra) |
Starters: 72 / Finishers: 42  Average Speed: 24.822 km/h |
|
M-SR 1913
M-SR 1915
Return to the Timeline ToC
Return to the Race Snippets ToC |
