The race departed from Milan at 7:30 am. From a rapid start thirteen riders form a solid breakaway group. An unconcerned peloton lets the group escape and the advantage of the fugitives rose quickly.
In Novi Ligure (110 km into the race / 282 km), the breakaway had a 10+ minute lead on an unorganized peloton. A major crash in the large group took down a dozen riders, significantly Alfredo Binda fell heavily and fractured the femur of his right leg.
SPECIAL NOTE: Campionissimo Alfredo Binda, two-time M-SR champion (1929, 1931), ended an exceptional career after the devastating injury.
On the Turchino Pass (131 km / 282 km),, outstanding climber Enrico Mollo (Gloria) was the first to pass the summit, winning the mountain preme.
On the descent a wet and treacherous road caused multiple crashes and mechanical problems distanced 5 of the 11 riders in the breakaway.
The six survivors attacked the Colletta climb in Piani d'Invrea (170 km / 282 km), at full speed, but on the descent the group hit an 'oil stain' on the road sending all six to the ground. All recovered quickly and continued except Augusto Introzzi (Gloria), who found a broken wheel and had to wait for his team car.
Near Vado Ligure (199 km / 282 km), Introzzi completed an outstanding effort and rejoined the leader near Loano.
In Albenga (230 km / 282 km), Introzzi, Aladino Mealli (Legnano), Carlo Romanatti (Bianchi), and Angelo Varetto (Gloria) held a 4’00” lead on a hard charging twelve-rider group.
The decisive move of the race came on Capo Berta (255 km / 282 km), where Mealli (gear problems) and Introzzi (fatigue) were distanced by Romanatti and Varetto.
