Girardengo's First Milan-San Remo Victory!
The 11th edition of Milan-San Remo Classicissima was held on April 14, 1918.
Italy’s first "Campionissimo" * Costante Girardengo (Bianchi) came to the start in 1918 to battle with defending Milan-San Remo champion Gaetano ‘Tano’ Belloni (Bianchi). This year a reduced number of riders (only thirty-three starters) came to Milan because Europe was involvemented in World War 1.
The race rolled off at 6:15 am in heavy rain. In the opening kilometers Belloni set a fast pace and stretched the small peloton across the plains of Lombardia.
Race Status:
In Binasco (12 km into the race / 287 km), only eight riders remained in the lead group.
Riding through Tortona (75 km / 287 km), Girardengo opened a hard attack. Belloni, Ezio Corlaita (Peugeot), Alfredo Sivocci (Isolati) and the surprising Individual (Isolati) Luigi Vertemati answered the attack.
12 km later in Pozzolo Formigaro (87 km / 287 km), another hard attack by Girardengo split the breakaway and quickly gained advantage of thirty seconds.
Girardengo rode over horrible roads during his 200km breakaway
In Ovada (112 km / 287 km), with Belloni delayed by a crash, a puncture and a dropped chain, his time gap reached 7'29". ‘Tano’ recovered quickly, caught and then dropped his chasing group companions.
On the Passo Turchino climb (131 km / 287 km), Belloni tried to come back to the leader, but over the summit he still trailed by 6'04". Corlaita crossed in third 18'00” behind.
On the Ligurian Coast in Savona (203 km / 287 km), only nine riders arrived at the check point. Two Individual (Isolati) riders, Mario Santagostino and Alfredo Sivocci, chose not to continue the race. Girardengo still held a 7’00” lead over Belloni.
The seven riders remaining in the race, rode through Albenga and Alassio (232 km / 287 km), when a violent storm hit the race.
In Diano Marina (262 km / 287 km), ‘Gira’s lead on Belloni fell to 6’00”.The Campionissimo increased his pace.
In Porto Maurizio (273 km / 287 km), Gira’s lead extended to 10’00”.
At the end of a long rainy day a ray of sunshine broke through in San Remo as Girardengo easily rode into the finish for the 1918 Milan-San Remo victory.
He ended with a 13'00” advantage over Belloni, Agostini is third at a massive 59'00”, Corlaita fourth 1h37'00”.
SPECIAL NOTE: * Costante Girardengo became the first Campionissimo (Champion of Champions) after M-SR's race director Eugenio Colombo coined the nickname for the Italian superstar in 1918.
M-SR April 14, 1918 / 287 Km |
1.
Costante GIRARDENGO (Ita) 11h48'00" |
2.
Gaetano Belloni (Ita) +13'00" |
3.
Ugo Agostoni (Ita) +59'00 |
Starters: 33 / Finishers: 7  Average Speed: 24.279 km/h |
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M-SR 1917
M-SR 1919
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