By 1931, the Giro d’Italia had already carved its place as a premier event in professional cycling. First held in 1909, the race, similar to the French grand tour Tour de France, organized by L’Auto, was conceived by the Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Despite its growing prestige, the Giro lacked a visual identifier for its race leader. At the Tour de France, the maillot jaune (yellow jersey) had been introduced in 1919, making the leader easily recognizable to spectators and establishing a tradition that resonated with fans. Inspired by this, the organizers of the Giro decided it was time to adopt their own jersey for the race leader.
The color pink was chosen to match the distinctive hue of La Gazzetta dello Sport, whose pink pages were synonymous with sports journalism in Italy.
The opening stage of the 1931 Giro d’Italia took riders from Milan to Mantua, a distance of 206 kilometers.
The stage began at a brisk pace as riders sought to establish their positions. The flat terrain from Milan to Mantua seemed conducive to a sprint finish, but the race was anything but straightforward. Breakaways formed and dissolved as teams tested each other’s strength.
In the closing kilometers, the race reached a fever pitch. A small group of riders managed to break away, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. Among them was Learco Guerra, a powerhouse cyclist known as the “Human Locomotive.” Guerra, representing the Maino team, was a fan favorite, revered for his strength and determination. He had finished second in the Giro twice before and was eager to seize the spotlight.
As the riders approached Mantua, Guerra launched a decisive attack. With an explosive burst of speed, he left his rivals in his wake. The crowd erupted as he crossed the finish line first, securing both the stage victory and the honor of becoming the first rider to wear the maglia rosa.