| The 1959 Milan-San Remo The 50th Edition |
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| Date: Thursday 19 March 1959 Starters: 177 Classified:116 Distance: 281 km Average speed: 41.575 km/hour Weather conditions: Cool conditions at the start with rain. Dry, fresh wind and sun at the finish |
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| The Golden anniversary edition of Milan
Sanremo saw the Spanish rider from the Ignis team, Miguel Poblet, win
for the second time in three years. Poblet once again used his
explosive sprint from a ninety man group to cross the finish line first
on the via Roma. In second place was the Belgian Rik Van Steenbergen,
victor here in 1954, who everyone agreed would have overcome Poblet had
the race been fifty metres longer. |
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| The piazza del
Duomo. Getting them under way is the mayor of Milan professor Ferrari.
Seen watching is the Italian film star Renato Rascel (far right front) |
The clock shows 0920
hours as the peloton makes its way to the Conca Fallata for the start
of the 50th Sanremo |
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| At Voghera - The
peloton chase a group of 23 men who have escaped and lead
by about 30 seconds. Average speed is high at 47-48 km/hour |
Over the top of the Passo
del Turchino the Italian rider Idrio Bui (Ghigi) on the left is
narrowly
beaten for the prime by the Belgian Gustave Van Vaerembergh
(Tricofilina-Coppi) |
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| Left:
The
race exploded on the final climb the Capo Berta with the final assault
of the day. Agostino Coletto (Carpano) is seen forcing the pace
followed by Vito Favero (Atala-Pirelli). Favero was the highest placed
Italian overall in 6th. These efforts on the Capo Berta would come to
nothing as Poblets Ignis team mates, such as Pierino Baffi, would help
bring the field back together. Right:
Aerial view from an
Agusta Bell Ranger helicopter of the riders climbing the Capo Berta |
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| Another aerial
view of the Capo Berta. These images must be one of, if not the first,
taken by helicopter of Milan San Remo |
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The
ninety man group gets ready to dispute the sprint
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Poblet
wins from a fast finishing Van Steenbergen |
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| Poblet appears
to have difficulty standing after his efforts and is assisted by
Giovanni Borghi the founder of the Ignis company |
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| Poblet
celebrates |
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| Images © La Gazzetta dello Sport |
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