War Torn Milan-San Remo
The 34th Milan-San Remo Classicissima was held on March 19, 1941.
World War 2 engulfed the whole continent of Europe. Italy experienced a quiet military front, and Italian Prime Minister “Il Duce” Benito Mussolini, a cycling fan, wanted to present a normal Italian way of life. The promotion of the 1941 Milan-San Remo continued but with great concern.
The race rolled off from Chiesa Rossa (a southern suburb of Milan) at 7:45 a.m. under sunny-spring skies.
Immediately after the start of race Carlo Ronca (Isolati), Luigi Cafferata (Isolati), Mario De Benedetti (Legnano), and then Domenico Pedevilla (Olm) broke away. A rapid pace across the Lombardia plains saw Mario Ricci (Legnano), Pierino Favalli (Legnano), Giuseppe Biondi (Isolati), Giovanni Corrieri (Gloria), Primo Zuccotti (Bianchi), Aimone Landi (Bianchi), and a young Fiorenzo Magni (Bianchi) joining the breakaway.
Race Status:
Domenico Pedevilla set a fast pace and brought the breakaway to the climb of the Turchino Pass (131 km / 282 km). Pedevilla passed the summit first and collected the mountain preme.
At the check point in Genova-Voltri (155 km / 282 km), Pedevilla continued in the lead, but with a dwindling time gap.
SPECIAL NOTE: WW2 presented itself along the Ligurian coast, when an impressive sight of the infamous railway convoy called the “Armed Train” (setup to patrol and protect the Italian coast) followed the race.
In Varazze (172 km / 282 km), Favalli, De Benedetti and Ricci reach the solo Pedevilla.
Through Savona (190 km / 282 km), the leaders passed with more than a 2’00” advantage on Magni and Landi. Cottur, Mollo and Chiappini trailed by an additional 2‘30”. The rest of the peloton with Legnano teammates Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali 4’00” behind.
The four leaders rode well together into the closing kms. On the climb of the Capo Cervo (248 km / 282 km), an exhausted Pedevilla dropped from the breakaway.
The race broke apart on the Capo Berta (255 km / 282 km). Pierino Favalli (Legnano) attacked, Mario De Benedetti (Legnano) crashed, while Mario Ricci’s (Legnano) hard effort was not enough to hold Favalli’s wheel.
Pierino Favalli (Legnano) rode solo into the finish for the M-SR victory.
Favalli, finished second in 1937 and 1938, gained the victory in the 1941 edition of the Milano-San Remo. Legnano teammate Mario Ricci finished second +1’39”.
Legnano’s Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali, riding in team support, finish 10th and 12th at +11'07” behind the winner.
M-SR March 19, 1941 / 282 Km |
1.
Pierino FAVALLI (Ita) 7h46'25" |
2.
Mario Ricci (Ita) +1'39" |
3.
Piero Chiappini (Ita) +5'37" |
Starters: 69 / Finishers: 48  Average Speed : 36.212 km/h |
|
M-SR 1940
M-SR 1942
Return to the Timeline ToC
Return to the Race Snippets ToC |
