| Bini's Bold Breakaway
The 33rd edition of the Giro di Lombardia was held on October 23, 1937.
Gino Bartali (Legnano) was the foremost pre-race favorite for the 1937 Giro di Lombardia. He was the defending Lombardia champion and had a victory at the 1937 Giro d’Italia. Pre-race reports emphasized Bartali's strong motivation to cap his stellar year at Lombardia.
The race started with a departure from Milan through a “neutral zone” on the congested city streets. The peloton rolled out intact before the official start outside the urban area. As the race approached the 100 km mark attacks animated the field and split the group.
Race Status:
The opening flat roads leading to Como (150 km / 252 km), saw minor attacks that the peloton easily controlled.
The race approached the decisive phases on the demanding climbs a six-rider breakaway group formed, including pre-race favorite Gino Bartali (Legnano), Aldo Bini (Bianchi), Carlo Romanatti (Bianchi), Aimone Landi (Isolati), Severino Canavesi (Gloria), and Pietro Rimoldi (Ganna).
On the Madonna del Ghisallo climb (179 km / 252 km), Bini launched a bold attack from the elite group breaking away solo.
Bini’s perfectly timed escape allowed him to enter the undulating terrain following the Ghisallo to establish a commanding lead.
The response to Bini was not immediate. The time gap steadily increased as Bini's solo effort gained momentum.
Finally, Bartali and the remnants of the breakaway mounted a chase. The group began to close the gap on the flat section toward Milan, but Bini’s relentless pace held off the chase.
As the race returned to Milan, Aldo Bini maintained his solitary advantage and entered the Vigorelli Velodrome unchallenged for a dramatic (!!!) solo victory.
Bartali’s group came onto the velodrome to contest a “podium” sprint. Aimone Landi (Isolati) led out the sprint, but Gino Bartali (Legnano) surged around to gain the second-place podium spot.
GdL October 23, 1937 |
252 Km, Milan-Milan (Vigorelli Velodrome) |
1.
Aldo BINI (Ita) 7h34'05" |
2.
Gino Bartali (Ita) +3'55" |
3.
Aimone Landi (Ita) |
Starters: 98 / Finishers: 25 Average Speed: 33.297 km/h |
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Lomb 1936
Lomb 1938
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