Olmo's First Major Victory
The 28th Milan-San Remo Classicissima was held on March 17, 1935.
Two hundred and two riders on the start list departed Milan at 7:45 am with icy rain and snow. The rapid early pace of the race helped the riders fight the cold temperatures.
Race Status:
On the Turchino Pass, the very cold and snowy weather continued. Faustino Montesi (Gloria) passed the summit first and won the five hundred lire mountain preme. Alfredo Binda used his Legnano team to stretch the peloton and catch the breakaway.
On the descent to Genova, Voltri (156 km into the race / 282 km), the cold rain and snow caused multiple falls and punctures. A lengthy list of riders were treated at the hospital for frost-bite and severe muscle fatigue. Sadly, Binda was one of the frozen riders and abandoned the race.
In Voltri, Learco Guerra (Maino) fell heavily on wet tram tracks and needed several minutes to recover.
In Varazze (174 km / 282 km), Guerra passed more than five minutes behind, but began to show signs of recovery.
In Savona (185 km / 282 km) Guerra the "Human Locomotive" trailed by 4'13".
At the check point in Finale Ligure (209 km / 282 km), after a fierce chase, Guerra returned to the lead group!
On the climb of the Capo Cervo (248 km / 282 km), Gino Bartali (Frejus) increased his pedal strokes and opened a gap. He rode solo into the closing kilometers.
At the top of Capo Berta (261 km / 282 km), Bartali’s advantage was close to one minute.
After Bartali’s lead increased to 1’30” on Giuseppe "Gepin" Olmo (Bianchi), Guerra, and Mario Cipriani (Frejus), disaster struck!
The leader’s freewheel broke and he was stuck in a climbing gear.
Riding through Arma di Taggia, 7 km from the end, Bartali was caught by Guerra, Olmo and Cipriani.
In Milan, the four rode onto the Corso Cavallotti finish straight. Mario Cipriani (Frejus) opened up the sprint, Olmo (Bianchi) was the first to respond with Learco Guerra (Maino) on his wheel. Inspired by the sight of the finish line Olmo managed to hold off Guerra’s late charge. "Gepin" powered to the first important victory of his career.
Giuseppe Olmo survived the cold temperatures and rainy weather to gain his first Milan-San Remo victory.
Gino Bartali, stuck in a climbing gear, rolled across the finish in fourth place.
SPECIAL NOTE: Later in 1935 Olmo, an accomplished track rider, set a new World Hour Record in Vigorelli, Milan.
M-SR March 19, 1935 / 282 Km |
1.
Giuseppe OLMO (Ita) 7h48'39" |
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Starters: 202 / Finishers: 49  Average Speed : 36.089 km/h |
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M-SR 1934
M-SR 1936
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