Girardengo Out Duels Binda for #6
The 21st edition of the Milan-San Remo Classicissima was held on March 25, 1928. Italy's first “Campionissimo” (#1) Costante Girardengo (Maino) battled the new “Campionissimo” (#2) Alfredo Binda (Legnano) through heavy rain and on disastrous road conditions all day.
A hundred and one riders started in Milan under a deluge of rain. The road conditions were horrible and hindered the pace of the peloton early in the race.
Race Status:
In Novi Ligure (115 km / 287 km), the slow-moving peloton remained together.
Through Roussillon (121 km / 287 km), attacks began with Individual (Isolati) rider, Pietro Chesi trying to escape. However, the leaders recognized the defending champion and did not allow the gap to open.
On the Passo Turchino climb (at 131 km / 287 km), the weather became more painful as the rain melted the still present snow. Muddy… muddy… muddy!
‘Gira’ (M) attacking the climb of the Passo Turchino.
On the muddy road ‘Gira’ attacked the sprint to the summit. The move was quickly covered by Binda, who quickly counterattacked. The Grand Prix of the Mountain (cash prize) went to Binda.
Riding onto the Ligurian Coast in Arenzano (167 km / 287 km), a four-rider breakaway formed, including Antonio Negrini (Maino), Angelo Oliveri (Wolsit), Girardengo (Maino), and Binda (Legnano).
On the climb in Piani d'Invrea (175 km / 287 km), struggling with the pace Oliveri abandoned the race.
In Spotorno (199 km / 287 km), Negrini had a puncture but recovered quickly and rejoined the lead group dragging chasers Bartolomeo Aimo (Alcyon), Pietro Chesi (Bianchi), and Secondo Martinetto (Isolati) with him.
SPECIAL NOTE: Rafaele Di Paco (Isolati) also joined the leaders, however shortly afterward, he broke a crank arm!?!? With great determination he pedaled the closing kilometers with one leg. Di Paco arrived solo at the finish in sixteenth place at 24’30” behind.
The rain fell intensely and forced the race to slow.
A great battle to the finish was brewing. On the climb of the Capo Berta (262 km / 287 km), Binda flew across the summit with Negrini (Maino) two hundred meters behind, and ‘Gira’ third, chasing close to his teammate.
Girardengo’s two Maino teammates, Negrini and Pietro Bestetti, lead the charge in pursuit of Binda.
In Santo Stefano al Mare (12 km to the finish), a tiring Negrini pulled out of the chase. Binda held a two-minute advantage. Disaster struck the leader, he crashed and unfortunately experienced a sudden bout of intestinal distress. In the confusion Girardengo closed the two-minute gap and caught Binda.
The two “Campionissimos” rode into the finish together. Binda started a long sprint, but the attentive ‘Gira’ held Binda's lead-out. Girardengo came around Binda in the last fifty meters for the victory.
The “Campionissimo” (#1) took a grand sixth (and final) Milan-San Remo victory.
Two and a half minutes behind the winner, Giovanni Brunero (Legnano) outsprinted an exhausted Antonio Negrini for third place.
SPECIAL NOTE: Maino teammates deserve high praise for the hard chase done all day to keep their team captain in contention for the victory.
M-SR March 25, 1928 / 287 Km |
1.
Costante GIRARDENGO (Ita) 11h36'30" |
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3.
Giovanni Brunero (Ita) +2'30"
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Starters: 101 / Finishers: 42  Average Speed : 24.680 km/h |
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M-SR 1927
M-SR 1929
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