‘Tano’ is the Best in 1920
The 13th edition Milan-San Remo Classicissima was held on March 25, 1920. The race rolled off at 6:42 am under an overcast sky, but no rain was predicted.
The fast pace in the opening kilometers increased immediately when Italian champion Costante ‘Gira’ Girardengo (Stucchi) suffered a puncture. Main rival Gaetano ‘Tano’ Belloni (Bianchi) rode hard in the lead group.
Race Status:
In Ovada (113 km into the race / 287 km), the 13-rider lead group formed. Girardengo, Francis Pelissier (Bianchi), Mario Santagostino (Isolati) and Alfonso Calzolari (Stucchi) chased 4 minutes behind. Belloni's Bianchi team (7 of the 13 lead riders) set a very hard pace.
Trailing by five minutes, Girardengo aggressively pushed himself through Masone (130 km / 287 km). ‘Gira’ returned to the leaders before the Passo Turchino climb (131 km / 287 km).
In sight of the Turchino’s summit Belloni sprinted away and crossed the line to win the 200 lire (cash prize) for the Grand Prix of the Mountains.
The treacherous descent of the Turchino caused multiple crashes, mechanical problems and punctures. ‘Gira’ experienced a fall of his own.
Arriving on the Ligurian Coast in Voltri (167 km / 287 km), the lead group had been reduced to seven riders. After crashing Girardengo trailed by 2 minutes.
On the climb in Colletta, ‘Tano’ found himself in difficulty and lost the leader’s wheel. He quickly fell 1’29” behind. Giovanni Brunero (Legnano), Louis Luguet (Bianchi) and the two Pelissier brothers led the race with Francis Pelissier controlling the fast pace.
When Henri Pelissier (Bianchi) suffered a puncture in Varazze (191 km / 287 km) the pace of the lead group slowed significantly.
At the Savona check point (203 km / 287 km), Belloni and ‘Gira’ returned to the lead group.
On the descent into Alassio (244 km / 287 km), both Francis Pelissier and Girardengo lost contact due to mechanical problems. Azzini, Brunero, Belloni and Henri Pelissier rode away in the lead of the race. Bianchi’s director sportif Erminio Cavedini ordered his team not to allow Girardengo to return. Trailing by 2 minutes ‘Gira’ unleased a huge effort.
At the top of Capo Berta (262 km / 287 km), the final climb, Girardengo had nearly caught his Bianchi rivals, when he made a strategic mistake. He decided not to stop to turn the wheel and change to a sprinting gear. He chose to stay with a 46 x 18 * ratio.
Riding hard into San Remo Costante Girardengo (Stucchi), Giovanni Brunero (Legnano), Gaetano Belloni (Bianchi), Henri Pelissier (Bianchi), and Giuseppe Azzini (Bianchi) set up for the sprint. At the two hundred meter sign Azzini led out the sprint for his teammates. Henri Pelissier (Bianchi) jumped past with Girardengo and Belloni battling for position on his wheel. Belloni launched on the right, ‘Gira’ flew on the left.
Girardengo, feeling the effect of the smaller gear *, could not gain enough speed to come around ‘Tano.’ Girardengo had to settle for third place.
Gaetano 'Tano' Belloni trashed his reputation as an "Italian eternal second" and gained a grand Milan-San Remo victory!!!
M-SR March 25, 1920 / 287 Km |
1. Gaetano BELLONI (Ita) 9h27'00" |
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3. Costante Girardengo (Ita)
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Starters: 45 / Finishers: 23  Average Speed : 30.317 km/h |
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M-SR 1919
M-SR 1921
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