| GIRARDENGO Sprints to the Lombardia Victory
The 17th edition of the Giro di Lombardia was held on November 10, 1921. Costante Girardengo (Stucchi), Lombardia champion in 1919, returned after missing the race in 1920.
The race rolled off at 6:55 am from Corso Sempione in Milan.
Race Status:
A compact field passed through Brinzio and Varese without major attacks. The peloton remained at 40 riders.
The ascent of the Madonna del Ghisallo (10 km with an ave. gradient 7%) marked the first major physical test of the race. As the race approached the decisive climb a cold wind challenged the remaining peloton.
On the ascent Ghisallo (150 km into the race / 261 km), Costante Girardengo tested his legs with a brief acceleration and the pace increased causing the group to splinter on the early switchbacks. Attentively the favorites regrouped quickly.
A select group of twelve, including Girardengo (Stucchi), Henri Pelissier (J.B. Louvet), Gaetano Belloni (Bianchi), Federico Gay (Bianchi), Giovanni Brunero (Legnano), and Giuseppe Azzini (Stucchi), rode over the Ghisallo summit together.
On the descent toward the Cicognola climb, minor incidents disrupted the rhythm of the breakaway: Ugo Agostoni (Legnano) broke his chain, and Girardengo punctured. None of the riders attacked the mishaps.
Alessandro Tonani (Stucchi) and Emilio Petiva (Isolati) bridged the gap to the leaders during a calm section approaching Milan. The passive group stabilized at seventeen.
The climax unfolded during the intense finishing laps at the Sempione Velodrome in Milan.
Angelo Gremo (Bianchi) led into the closing laps, followed by teammates Belloni and Gay. When the bell sounded for the final lap Girardengo (Stucchi) surged decisively and launched a long sprint. Belloni closed on the leader and swung wide at the last corner. His effort drew even with Gira’s wheel, but a strong final pedal stroke propelled Girardengo across the finish line first! He achieved his second Giro di Lombardia victory.
Teammates Gaetano Belloni (Bianchi) and Federico Gay (Bianchi) completed the podium in second and third place.
SPECIAL NOTE: Henri Pélissier finished fifth, later accused Giuseppe Azzini (Stucchi) of obstruction during the sprint that hindered his finish position. His protest was denied.
SPECIAL NOTE: With the 1921 Giro di Lombardia victory Costante Girardengo became the first rider to achieve the difficult Milan-San Remo (early season) / Lombardia (late season) double victory in the same year.
GdL November 10, 1921 |
261 Km, Milan-Milan (Sempione Velodrome) |
1. Costante GIRARDENGO (Ita)
9h30'30" |
2. Gaetano Belloni (Ita) |
3. Federico Gay (Ita) |
Starters: 67 / Finishers: 32 Average Speed: 27.450 km/h |
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Lomb 1920
Lomb 1922
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