Gremo's Solo Victory
The 9th edition of Milan-San Remo Classicissima was held on April 6, 1919.
The first post-war Milan-San Remo saw the foreign riders return to Italy. The talented field rolled out of Milan at 6:30 am on roads covered with mud from a previous day’s rain.
Defending M-SR champion Constante Girardengo (Stucchi) experienced mechanical problems in the opening kilometers and needed to stop. After getting quickly repaired, he returned to the lead group.
Race Status:
In Ovada (113 km into the race / 287 km), the pace of the race intensified.
The race’s fast pace on the Passo Turchino climb (131 km / 287 km), created an inevitable selection. A lead group of five riders: Angelo Gremo (Stucchi), Giuseppe Oliveri (Stucchi), Mario Santagostino (Isolati), Angelo Vay (Bianchi), and Gaetano Belloni (Bianchi) formed. Approaching the summit the five leader set a brutally fast pace. Gremo rode over the summit first to win the Mountain preme (the cash prize) with the other four chasing.
In Voltri (162 km / 287 km), Gremo still held a lead of 2’00” over two chasers, Oliveri and Santagostino. After a reckless descent of the Turchino Girardengo and Oscar Egg (Sui) still trailed by 4’00”.
On the climb of the Colletta, a hard charging Girardengo broke away from his chasing group.
In Savona (202 km / 287 km), ‘Gira’s’ hard chase had closed the gap to Gremo to just 2'00”.
In the middle of the gap Girardengo’s Stucchi teammate Giuseppe Oliveri had two punctures and dropped from the lead group. Team captain Girardengo soon overtook him.
In Finale Ligure (220 km / 287 km), Gremo failed to avoid a car (apparently driven by a drunk) and crashed. He restarted without significant consequence.
In Albenga (238 km / 287 km), Gremo’s advantage had risen to 6', but on Capo Mele and Capo Cervo he began to suffer from the hard effort.
At the foot of Capo Berta (262 km / 287 km), he was joined by his teammate Girardengo.
On the Capo Berta climb (Diano Marina 25 km to the finish), ‘Gira’ had an untimely puncture soon after catching Gremo and had to stop. The misfortune left the race to Gremo, who had been alone in the lead for more than one hundred and fifty kilometers.
Angelo Gremo (Alcyon) finished a brilliant solo ride with a huge Milan-San Remo victory.
The Stucchi-Dunlop team filled all three podium spots!
SPECAIL NOTE: Campionissimo Constante Girardengo, who returned to great racing form after a nearly fatal battle with the Spanish flu in 1918. The illness had weakened him to a point that it left him with little hope for his future as cycling champion. This year’s second place finish provided Girardengo with a huge boast!
SPECIAL NOTE: the race’s caravan had thirty following cars between race officers and team support vehicles. The number was remarkable given the economic hardship of the war.
M-SR April 6, 1919 / 287 Km |
1.
Angelo GREMO (Ita) 11h26'00" |
2.
Costante Girardengo (Ita) +2'15"
|
3.
Giuseppe Oliveri (Ita) +8'00"
|
Starters: 42 / Finishers: 22  Average Speed :25.058 km/h |
|
M-SR 1918
M-SR 1920
Return to the Timeline ToC
Return to the Race Snippets ToC |
