Lombardia's Huge Peloton
The 4th edition of the Giro di Lombardia classic was held on November 8, 1908.
Despite the cheating and dirty tactics of the Lombardia 1907, a huge number of riders (208 riders!!!) came to Milan for the Autumn Classic.
The race rolled off at 7:22 am from Corso Sempione in Milan at a fast pace. The weather was less than optimal under heavy rain and on very wet roads. The large field had a massive crash on the plains of Lombardia. Quickly a small group of twenty riders formed the breakaway of the day.
Race Status:
In Varese (62 km into the race / 210 km), the leading group became fifteen.
On the Binago climb (78 km / 210 km), Giovanni Gerbi (Maino) attacked and stretched the single file group. His aggressive pace slowly, one by one, dropped riders from the breakaway. Over the summit Gerbi was alone.
At the Como checkpoint (92 km / 210 km), Gerbi passed with a 2'00” lead over Francois Faber (Peugeot), with 4'00” to Giovanni Cuniolo (Peugeot), Vittorio Bossetti (Isolati), and Giovanni Micheletto (Isolati). Chasing further behind Guido Ghirardini (Isolati) and Luigi Ganna (Atala) trailed by 5'00”.
The race was developing into another winning ride by Gerbi. However, Gerbi’s pace slowed, and his riding became labored.
In Pusiano (101 km / 210 km), Faber (Lux) joined him. The two, with a tiring Gerbi not helping with the pace, continue their lead.
In Lecco (122 km / 210 km), their lead stayed at 3'00” on Cuniolo and Ernesto Ferrari (Isolati).
With 38 km to go, Faber, fearing an Italians coalition, wasted no time and attacked the select group. He rode away.
Luigi Ganna chased hard and caught the Gerbi group in the closing kilometers. Faber remained solo in the lead.
Francois Faber continued to ride away. In Milan, the Luxembourger crossed the finish line 14’57” ahead of Luigi Ganna. The prestigious victory was his!
SPECIAL NOTE: Faber survived a puncture in the last km.
An exhausted Gerbi continued to slow, Luigi Ganna overtook him and rode into the finish to claim second place.
GdL November 8, 1908 |
210 Km, Milan-Milan (Sesto San Giovanni) |
1.
Francois FABER (Lux) 7h18'36" |
2.
Luigi Ganna (Ita) +14'57" |
3.
Giovanni Gerbi (Ita) +24'09" |
Starters: 208 !!! / Finishers: 19 Average Speed: 28.727 km/h |
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Lomb 1907
Lomb 1909
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