Coppi's Second M-SR Victory
The 39th Milan-San Remo Classicissima was held on March 19, 1948.
After the start’s flag dropped the race had immediate attacks to compete for the “village premes” along the plains of Lombardia.
Race Status:
Shortly after Ovada (113 km / 282 km), a serious breakaway of 8-riders formed with Adolfo Leoni (Bianchi) setting the pace.
Approaching the Turchino Pass (125 km / 282 km), the lead group dwindled due to punctures and crashes.
Two riders broke away from the pack on the climb of the Turchino Pass (131 km / 282 km), with Fausto Coppi (Bianchi) catching the breakaway on the descent towing eleven others to the group.
On the Ligurian coast in Cogoleto (151 km / 282 km), a small group of thirteen remained at the head of the race. Bianchi controlled the breakaway 2’00” ahead of the peloton.
In Varazze (180 km / 282 km), under relentless Legnano pressure the group dwindled to four riders, which included Vincenzo Rossello (Legnano), Coppi, Fermo Camellini (Métropole), and Aldo Baito (Viscontea).
On the Capo Mele (245 km / 282 km), Coppi, sensing weakness in the breakaway, launched the decisive attack and dropped his breakaway companions.
Fausto Coppi’s effort was so hard he crossed the finish line solo in San Remo +5’17” ahead of the second place Vittorio Rossello.
SPECIAL NOTE: The 1948 Milan-San Remo was the inaugural race of a new season-long competition the Challenge Desgrange-Colombo. It was named after Henri Desgrange (original organizer of the Tour de France) and Emilio Colombo (original organizers of the Giro d'Italia) and was run by four European sports newspapers L'Équipe, La Gazzetta dello Sport, Het Nieuwsblad-Sportwereld and Les Sports.
M-SR March 19, 1948 / 290.5 Km |
1.
Fausto COPPI (Ita) 7h33’20" |
2.
Vittorio Rossello (Ita) +5'17" |
3.
Fermo Camellini (Fra) |
Starters: 174 / Finishers: 72  Average Speed : 37.284 km/h |
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M-SR 1947
M-SR 1949
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