| Controversy at Lombardia
The 2nd edition of the Giro di Lombardia (originally called Milano-Milano) was held on November 11, 1906. The race started at 7:15 am from the 'Loreto roundabout' in Milan.
An aggressive pace in the early kilometers did not split the peloton.
Race Status:
In Bergamo (56 km into the race / 197 km), the peloton was “Gruppo compatto” (in a compact group).
After Lecco (90 km / 197 km), the race started to accelerate. Carlo Galetti (Otav) attacked and formed a five-rider breakaway. In the breakaway Luigi Ganna (Otav), Mario Gaioni (Bianchi), Cesare Brambilla (Bianchi), and Eberardo Pavesi (Otav) rode well together, while Giovanni Cuniolo (Bianchi) could not hold the wheels.
Between Erba (112 km / 197 km), and Como (136 km / 197 km), Galetti’s strong pace provoked a decisive solo move.
He rode away from everyone in the group.
At the check point in Varese (147 km / 197 km), a surprising Brambilla caught the tiring leader. Ganna trailed the duo by 4'00”, while Gaioni and Ernesto Ferrari (Isolati) were 14'00” behind.
The race passed the “50 km to go” banner when Galetti began to feel the effects of consuming a dose of cognac. Regardless, Galetti and Brambilla start to work well together to keep Ganna from rejoining the breakaway.
Controversy hit the race as the winning two-rider breakaway, Brambilla and Galetti entered the finish in Milan. A massive crowd hindered the progress of the duo riding down the final 2 kms. As Brambilla swerved through the fans, Galetti was forced to go off the road, and he punctured while returning to the course. Brambilla sprinted away and easily rolled across the finish line for the victory.
Galetti emotionally protested at the finish, but when he admitted having been a bit lightheaded due to a ‘small alcoholic beverage’ that a friend had given him in the closing kilometers, his protest was denied.
SPECIAL NOTE: Defending champion Giovanni “the Red Devil” Gerbi experienced major mechanical problems and had to abandon mid-way through the race.
GdL November 11, 1906 |
197 Km, Milan-Milan |
1.
Cesare BRAMBILLA (Ita) 7h28'39" |
2.
Carlo Galetti (Ita) +7" |
3.
Luigi Ganna (Ita) +4'41" |
Starters: 53 / Finishers: 20 Average Speed: 26.435 km/h |
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Lomb 1905
Lomb 1907
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