24 May 1935 Gino Bartali’s first Giro d’Italia stage victory

The 171 km long stage between Portocivitanova and L'Aquila in the 1935 Giro d'Italia occupies a peculiar place in cycling history. Depending on how one counts the two half-stages held the previous day, it is alternately referred to as the 6th or 7th stage.

What is indisputable, however, is that the stage, held on May 24, 1935, marked a historic milestone:

the first-ever Giro d'Italia stage victory of Italian cycling legend Gino Bartali.

A demanding mountain route, it featured the challenging ascent of the Capannelle Pass. The young neo-professional Bartali claimed a stunning solo victory, showcasing his climbing prowess by also winning the climbers’ competition that year. He ultimately finished 7th in the general classification.

Giro d'Italia 1935 was notable for its highly competitive international field. Among the participants were two-time Tour de France champion André Leducq and Maurice Archambaud, a key member of the French team that dominated the French grand tour during its golden era of French winners. Archambaud demonstrated his class by securing 4th place in the general classification of the Giro that year.