The creation of the Milano-Sanremo, one of the most famous and historic cycling races in the world, can be traced back to a partnership with a newspaper—specifically, La Gazzetta dello Sport.
This pivotal connection between cycling and journalism was key in shaping one of the sport’s greatest events.
As with many of cycling’s iconic races, the origins of Milano-Sanremo are deeply intertwined with the media landscape of the time.
The story begins in the early 1900s, when the town of Sanremo, located on Italy’s Ligurian coast, was selected as the finish line for a new cycling race. Sanremo, a luxurious and picturesque location, was already a known destination for wealthy elites. The town’s local sports club, hoping to capitalize on its popularity, was eager to host a major sporting event. They reached out to Eugenio Costamagna, the owner of La Gazzetta dello Sport. Costamagna had already established himself as an influential figure in cycling by organizing the Giro di Lombardia in 1905, one of Italy’s premier one-day races.
However, Costamagna had reservations about organizing another race, particularly one involving a bicycle, after a failed attempt to host a car race to Sanremo. The difficult terrain of the Turchino Pass had caused significant challenges for the automobile race, leading Costamagna to doubt whether a bike race would fare any better. Nonetheless, after receiving pressure from the local sports club and assurances of support, Costamagna agreed to take the risk.
To test the viability of the proposed race, Costamagna offered a challenge to Giovanni Gerbi, a talented rider who had won the Giro di Lombardia in 1905.
Gerbi was tasked with navigating the notoriously challenging Turchino Pass, and if he succeeded, Costamagna would consider organizing the race. Gerbi, along with his training partners, took on the Turchino Pass, overcoming its steep gradients and treacherous conditions. Their success proved to Costamagna that a bike race to Sanremo was feasible, and the plan for the Milano-Sanremo was set in motion.
On April 14, 1907, the first edition of the Milano-Sanremo was held.
Despite the careful planning, the day of the race was anything but ideal. The weather was dismal, with heavy rain turning the roads into slippery, muddy tracks. The race was long and grueling, covering a distance of 288 kilometers from Milan to Sanremo, and only 33 riders lined up at the start. The inaugural race was filled with uncertainty, and the conditions made it a test of both skill and endurance.
Among the riders was Giovanni Gerbi, who was determined to win the race. Before the event, Gerbi’s team, Bianchi, had promised him a reward of 2.5 lira for every kilometer completed if he could secure a victory. However, Gerbi soon learned that his teammate, Lucien Petit-Breton, was being offered six times that amount for the same success.
Feeling slighted by this disparity, Gerbi made a secret pact with Petit-Breton.
Gerbi would assist the French rider in reaching the finish line first, and in return, they would split the prize money evenly. This deal would prove pivotal in the outcome of the race.
As the riders made their way through the grueling terrain, Gerbi showcased his superior climbing abilities on the Turchino Pass. He was the clear leader, with only Gustave Garrigou, a French cyclist, able to keep up with him. The two riders broke away from the rest of the pack, and it seemed as though the race would come down to a battle between Gerbi and Garrigou for the win. However, Gerbi had a different plan.
True to his agreement with Petit-Breton, Gerbi held back, allowing Petit-Breton to catch up with the leading duo.
As the three riders approached the town of Sanremo, it was clear that a tactical showdown was imminent.
The final stretch of the race was a dramatic one. With just 500 meters to go, Gerbi, who had been pacing himself and waiting for his French teammate, grabbed Garrigou by the collar to slow him down and ensure that Petit-Breton could secure the victory. This underhanded move was controversial and raised questions about sportsmanship. Nevertheless, Petit-Breton crossed the finish line first, securing the win.
However, the race jury did not take kindly to Gerbi’s actions. They decided to penalize him for his unsportsmanlike behavior, relegating him to third place. As a result, Gustave Garrigou was officially awarded second place, while Petit-Breton, as per the agreement, claimed victory.
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