| Belloni Earns a Soggy Victory
The 24th edition of the Giro di Lombardia was held on November 3, 1928. The race started in Milan on a miserable weather day. Heavy rain cause severe flooding in key areas of the race.
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Soggy Peloton
Defending champion Alfredo Binda entered the race seeking his fourth consecutive Lombardia victory.
The race intensified as the route entered hilly terrain of northern Lombardia.
Race Status:
In the pouring rain riders had multiple punctures and mechanical breakdowns. Binda suffered 4 punctures and unfortunately was forced to make “illegal wheel change” to continue the race.
The peloton remained together heading into the Madonna del Ghisallo climb.
On the Ghisallo climb, a small leading group formed, including Binda (Legnano), Gaetano Belloni (Wolsit), Allegro Grandi (Bianchi), Pietro Fossati (Maino), and Ambrogio Beretta (Legnano).
The five leaders maintained their breakaway into the final kilometers toward Milan.
A large crowd gathered along the finish line straight in the center of Milan. They were celebrating the sprint amid the wet conditions. 36-year-old Gaetano Belloni, Lombardia champion in 1915 and 1918, outsprinted his four breakaway partners for the “Race of the Falling Leaves” victory.
SPECIAL NOTE: * Great Italian champion Alfredo Binda finished second but was disqualified for his illegal wheel change.
GdL November 3, 1928 |
248 Km, Milan-Milan |
1.
Gaetano BELLONI (Ita) 8h59'00" |
x2. Alfredo Binda (Ita) DQ’d * |
2.
Allegro Grandi (Ita) |
3.
Pietro Fossati (Ita) |
Starters: 85 / Finishers: 43 Average Speed: 27.606 km/h |
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Lomb 1927
Lomb 1929
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