1908 Milan–San Remo Explained

1908 Milan–San Remo
Date:5 April 1908
Stages:1
Distance:283.4
Unit:km
Time:11h 33'
Speed:24.537
First:Cyrille Van Hauwaert
First Nat:Belgium
First Team:Alcyon-Dunlop
Second:Luigi Ganna
Second Nat:Italy
Second Natvar:1861
Second Team:Atala-Dunlop
Third:André Pottier
Third Nat:France
Third Team:Stucchi–Pirelli
Previous:1907
Next:1909

The second running of the Milan–San Remo cycling classic was held on 5 April 1908. The race was won by Belgian Cyrille Van Hauwaert. 14 of 48 starters finished the race.[1]

Race report

The race was affected by miserable weather, with gusty winds and freezing rain from start to finish. The dramatic state of the roads contributed to the harshness of the race, causing several punctures and mechanical failures.[2]

A small group of riders, containing all key contenders, broke clear on the Passo del Turchino. In Masone five of them remained: Belgian Cyrille Van Hauwaert, Italians Rossignoli and Galetti, and French riders Pottier and Lignon. In Finale Ligure Van Hauwaert dropped his last companion Lignon and powered on solo to the finish. In the background Luigi Ganna, André Trousselier and Augustin Ringeval had set off in pursuit. Ganna approached quickly, but Van Hauwaert remained his lead until the finish in Sanremo.[2]

Van Hauwaert had traveled by bike from Belgium to the start in Milan, by means of training. In Paris he was joined by several French riders, including Augustin Ringeval, who accompanied him to Milan.

Results

RiderTeamTime
1 Cyrille Van Hauwaert Alcyon-Dunlop9h 32' 00"
2Atala–Dunlop+ 3' 30"
3Stucchi-Pirelli+ 6' 25"
4Nil-Supra+ 17' 40"
5- + 33' 00"
6- + 47' 00"
7- + 1h 5' 00"
8- + 1h 26' 00"
9- + 1h 26' 30"
10s.t.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1909 Milano - San Remo. 2nd edition: Sunday, April 5. bikeraceinfo.com. 27 February 2016.
  2. Web site: 5 aprile 1908 - Milano-Sanremo. museociclismo.it. 27 February 2016. Italian.