| Girardengo's 1st "Race of the Falling Leaves" Victory
The 15th edition of the Giro di Lombardia was held on November 2, 1919.
SPECIAL NOTE: The Giro di Lombardia was known as a flat race on the northern plains of Lombardia until 1919. Promoters instituted a significant change to the racecourse with the first inclusion of the 10 km climb to the chapel Madonna del Ghisallo in Magreglio.
The first post-war Giro di Lombardia in 1919 drew only forty-four starters. Cold and wet weather (with snow on the Ghisallo climb) caused chaos from the start in Milan.
Disregarding the weather conditions the aggressiveness in the peloton broke out from the start. The hard pace caused defending champion Gaetano Belloni’s chain to jump off the chainring and he had to stop. Steadily Belloni did chase back to the leaders.
Race Status:
At S. Vittore Olona (29 km into the race/256 km), the four breakaway riders suddenly found the road blocked by a tram.
To miss the tram, the Pelissier brother swerved and skidded on the tram line. Both brothers crashed heavily.
In Gallarate (47 km / 256 km), the Pelissier brothers, still battered by the fall, stop to assess their damaged bicycles. Girardengo (Stucchi) sprinted rapidly past. The two Frenchmen set off again.
In Varese (66 km into the race/256 km), Henri Pelissier’s misfortune continued. During his chase the two-time Lombardia champion crashed again. Henri’s delay was now close to 2 minutes. Dejected Henri Pelissier decided to stop. Despite the encouragement of his brother Francis, Henri abandoned the race.
The leading group faced the Brinzio climb (80 km / 256 km), as the snow began to fall, Girardengo forced the pace and dropped all companions. He rode alone in the lead and passed solo over the summit.
Behind ‘Gira’ a small group formed, including the Suter brothers (both Sui-Isolati), ‘Tano’ Belloni (Bianchi), Giuseppe Azzini (Bianchi), A. Oliveri (Isolati), Ugo Agostoni (Bianchi), and Francis Pelissier (J.B. Louvet) their delay exceeded 2 minutes.
On the Malnate climb (92 km / 256 km), Girardengo increased his time gap to the elite chase group.
In Asso (134 km / 256 km), ‘Gira’s’ lead was 8'00” on Belloni, Agostoni and the two Suter.
At this point a large number of riders had abandoned the race due to the abysmal weather. Only fifteen riders remained in the race, and they still had to face the Ghisallo (147 km / 256 km).
As the snowfall got heavier on the Ghisallo Girardengo increased his time advantage to 15’00” on Belloni and Heiri Suter. Giuseppe Azzini and Bartolomeo Aimo give up hope and retire from the race.
At the control stop in Asso (195 km / 256 km), Girardengo had 17'00” on Belloni and Heiri Suter, and 22'00” on Ugo Agostoni.
The leader began to tire as the final kilometers to Milan counted down. An energized Belloni increased his pace and began to close on ‘Gira’. But with the race victory determined after a solitary breakaway of 170 km in rain, wind and snow, Costante Girardengo rode into Milan for an 8’00” Giro di Lombardia victory.
Gaetano Belloni (Ita) finished second and Heiri Suter (Sui) +23’00” behind in third place.
GdL November 2, 1919 |
256 Km, Milan-Milan |
1.
Costante GIRARDENGO (Ita) 9h42'01" |
2.
Gaetano Belloni (Ita) +8'00" |
3.
Heiri Suter (Sui) +23'00" |
Starters: 44 / Finishers: 8 Average Speed: 26.390 km/h |
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Lomb 1918
Lomb 1920
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