A fast early pace did not create a breakaway, and the peloton rode into Gavirate (66 km into the race / 235 km), to meet a tifosi that had scattered nails on the road, creating multiple punctures. Constante Girardengo (Automoto) paid the highest price and remained delayed with repairs.
Emilio Pavesi (Stucchi) immediately took the lead and forced an aggressive pace.
On the climb in Brinzio (81 km / 235 km), Angelo Gremo (Ganna), Giuseppe Azzini (Bianchi), and the surprising Pierino Piacco (Isolati) pass over the summit with a short gap ahead of Lauro Bordin (Bianchi), Camillo Bertarelli (Ganna), Emilio Petiva (Stucchi), Rinaldo Spinelli (Globo), and Ugo Agostoni (Maino). Girardengo chased alone, and did not surrender to his misfortune, but still trailed by 3 minutes.
On the second pass through Varese (94 km / 235 km), Piacco sets a pace that only Gremo can follow. Agostoni and Petiva chased hard and caught the two leaders, immediately Agostoni attacked and rode away solo.
Agostoni passed through the check point in Como (127 km / 235 km), with a margin of 3’00” on a small group made up of Pavesi, Azzini, Piacco, Gremo, Petiva and Bertarelli. Girardengo chased at an additional 2’00” behind.
Agostoni continued his wild breakaway on the Cappelletta climb, and increased his lead, while the pursuers were caught by Bordin. The peloton’s shakeup continued on the climb when Gremo and Petiva both suffered punctures. They were caught by Girardengo and Umberto Ripamonti (Isolati).
As soon as he rode through Lecco (158 km / 235 km), Agostoni suddenly began to slow down in the heat of the day. The leader made a significant mistake by not taking a food bag and he started to feel a “hunger knock.”
In Pontida (176 km / 235 km), Agostoni was caught and quickly overtaken with Pavesi, Azzini, Bordin, Piacco and Bertarelli. Girardengo still chased at 2'00” but managed to reconnect with the new fast-moving chase group.
Pavesi drove the pace of the 7 rider breakaway in the closing kilometers and entered the velodrome first with Azzini on his wheel.
At the sound of the bell for the final lap Eberardo Pavesi (Bianchi) kept the pace high. The final sprint launched at the 200-meter mark with Bianchi teammate Giuseppe Azzini jumping past the lead out. Immediately Lauro Bordin (Bianchi) flanked him on the inside and matched the speed of the sprint. Head-to-head into the last 100 meters, Azzini seemed certain to take the win but in the last 20 meters Bordin inched past and crossed the finish line first by a half-a-wheel.
Lauro Bordin seized the prestigious Giro di Lombardia victory. This was the most important victory of his career. He also achieved the new average speed record (32.290 km/h).
Surprising independent rider Pierino Piacco (Ita) finished in third place.
