Coppi's Third and Last M-SR Victory
The 40th Milan-San Remo Classicissimawas held on March 19, 1949.
Fueled by a strong tailwind, the race left Milan at a very rapid pace. Two track riders broke away soon after the start and collected the lucrative “sprint premes” along the plains of Lombardia. The duo was caught before the climb of the Turchino Pass started. Neither would make it to San Remo.
Race Status:
Over the summit of the Turchino Pass (131 km / 290.5 km) the elites began to attack. Vito Ortelli (Atala-Pirelli) escaped with three others, the final selection had started. Defending champion Fausto Coppi (Bianchi) chased hard and caught the breakaway with Fiorenzo Magni (Wilier Triestina), and Alfredo Martini (Wilier Triestina). Their gap was 2‘40” to the next chase group.
Coppi driving the pace onto the Ligurian coast.
This solid breakaway formed as the race flew along the Ligurian coast.
In Varazze (179 km / 290.5 km), the peloton closed the gaps allowing a large group to re-form.
Strategically on the Capo Mele (246 km / 290.5 km), Frenchman Edouard Fachleitner (France-Sport) attacked, only Coppi answered the move. Closing a 45” gap Coppi caught and passed Fachleitner on the Capo Cervo (252 km / 290.5 km).
Climbing the Capo Berta (260 km / 290.5 km), Coppi was alone.
Aggressively Coppi increased his lead and crossed the finish line in San Remo to claim the +4’17” victory. Fausto Coppi won Milan-San Remo for the third time and last time.
Fausto Coppi riding solo down the Via Roma in San Remo.
SPECIAL NOTE: Fausto Coppi finished with a new record average of 39.397 km/h. This beat the previous best set by Giuseppe Olmo (38.517 km/h) in 1938.
SPECIAL NOTE: 1949 marked the first time the Via Roma in San Remo was used as the finish line.
M-SR March 19, 1949 / 290.5 Km |
1.
Fausto COPPI (Ita) 7h22'25" |
2.
Vito Ortelli (Ita) +4'17" |
3.
Fiorenzo Magni (Ita) |
Starters: 202 / Finishers: 118  Average Speed : 39.397 km/h * |
|
M-SR 1948
M-SR 1950
Return to the Timeline ToC
Return to the Race Snippets ToC |
