HISTORY | 14/02/2025 | 08:12
di Danilo Viganò
The history of Italian cycling is rich with races that are no longer held but have made history: that's why we thought of proposing a new column to bring them out of the memory drawer. If you have an archive photo in a drawer, a newspaper clipping, or want us to tell the story of this or that race, don't hesitate to write to us at info@tuttobiciweb.it or daniloviga@gmail.com. Enjoy reading.
The Alberto Da Giussano Cup was not just a sporting event, but also a condensation of history because it was linked to the legendary 12th-century character who would have participated, as a protagonist, in the Battle of Legnano. The race was organized by the Alberto da Giussano Society in Giussano (Monza&Brianza) chaired by Aldo Brenna. Its existence dates back to 1921 when the first of 60 editions was held over a distance of 153 kilometers. Giovanni Trentarossi, racing as an individual, won it.
These were the years of Fiorini, Brusatori, Cervini, Mascherino, Rovida, Proserpio, Bagliolo, Bertoni and many others whose names appear in the golden book of the Lombard competition. More detailed information dates back to the 1956 edition won by Alfredo Zagano of UC Bergamasca 1902, who conquered the Cup by beating Alessandro Zanola and Mario Mori. A year later, Oreste Magni of UC Comense 1887 signed the Giussano classic ahead of Gabriele Colombo and Luigi Monzani, while in 1958 Pietro Tornaghi (US Lesmo) distanced Cesare Bernasconi and Enzo Paolini by 5". The 1950s ended with Alfio Cremona's triumph in '59, while Andrea Dancelli inaugurated the 1960s with his success.
We thus arrive at 1961 with Fulviano Mencaglia of GS Nuova Faro, who prevailed by overtaking Gianluigi Locatelli and Mirko Ciapparelli. This was followed by Paolo Marino Regonesi's breakthrough in '62, with the Balzer rider from Bergamo soloing 2'28" ahead of Filippo Muscolino and 2'35" ahead of Giampiero Macchi. Luigi Zuccotti did the same in '63, anticipating Gaetano Biffi and Bruno Centomo after a 156-kilometer race. Subsequently came the victories of Egidio Cappelletti, Eligio Albizzati, and Teresio Brusegan of Salus Seregno.
The 1970s debut allowed Michele Villa (Velo Sport Abbiategrasso) to write his name in the Cup's golden book. Villa won in a sprint finish, relegating Antonio Scigliano of GS Fiat to second place and Angelo Argentero of GS Cosmo from Rome to third. Among the top ten were names that would become famous, such as Pierino Gavazzi (7th) and the late Giuseppe Passuello (8th). Following Villa came the victories of Claudio Cavalli from Comense, Claudio Passera from Velo Club Varese Ganna, and Mario Gualdi from Iclas in the 1974 edition, which was valid as a Lombard Championship test.
The only edition reserved for third-series amateurs was held in 1975, won by Cornelio Barbisan (Mobili Cesano Maderno) in a beautiful solo breakaway. 1976 was Giuseppe Saronni's year. In his first season as an amateur, Beppe confirmed his class and talent by winning in Giussano with the GS Pozzi Ferramenta di Birone colors.
The following year, the Pozzi Ferramenta di Birone again triumphed with Giancarlo Casiraghi winning ahead of teammates Sergio Consonni and Silvano Contini. The race continued to showcase incredible talents through the late 1970s and early 1980s, with victories by riders like Giorgio Casati, Diego Riva, Giovanni Fedrigo, Silvestro Milani, Dario Montani, Alberto Volpi, and Daniele Del Ben, who won the last edition on June 30, 1984. Each victory represented not just a sporting achievement, but a chapter in the rich history of Italian amateur cycling.
ALBO D'ORO
1921- Trentarossi Giovanni (Individuale)
1922- Fiorini Mario (Individuale)
1923- Brusatori Ernesto (Individuale)
1924- Cervini Carlo(Individuale)
1925- Mascherino Giuseppe (Individuale)
1926- Rovida Carlo (Individuale)
1927- Proserpio Gino (GS Villa d'Este)
1928- Bagliolo Carlo (Individuale)
1929- Bertoni Remo (Individuale)
1930- Bover Alfredo (Individuale)
1931- Fontana Bruno (Sport Club Genova 1913 Milano)
1932- Mocchetti Carlo
1933- Ghisalberti Mario (individuale)
1934- Bignotti Carlo
1935- Vallotti Enrico
1936- Nava Giovanni
1937- Ronchi Luigi
1938- Bizzozzero Carlo (Pedale Monzese)
1939- Colombara Giuseppe (US Azzini)
1940- Conte Oreste (Sport Club Genova 1913 Milano)
1941- Carini Carlo (individuale)
1942- Spinazzi Giuseppe
1946- Moscardini Carlo (Sport Club Genova 1913 Milano)
1948- Emilitri Aladino (Velo Club Varese)
1949- Colnaghi Lino (GS Breda)
1950- Tagliabue Alfredo
1951- Giorgio Giordano
1952- Scappini Gabriele (SC Excelsior Milano)
1953- Zucchetti Giancarlo (Velo Club Varese)
1954- Sala Erminio (Pedale Monzese)
1955- Cappelli Tarcisio (UC Bergamasca 1902)
1956- Zagano Alfredo (UC Bergamasca 1902)
1957- Magni Oreste (UC Comense 1887)
1958- Tornaghi Pietro ((US Lesmo)
1959- Cremona Alfio ((US Legnanese 1913)
1960- Dancelli Andrea (Enel Legler)
1961- Menacaglia Fulviano (Nuova Faro)
1962- Regoneis Mairo (Balzer Bergamo)
1963- Zuccotti Luigi ((SC Corsico)
1964- Cappelletti Egidio (CC Canturino 1902)
1965- Albizzati Eligio (SC Caravatese)
1966- Brusegan Teresio (Salus Seregno)
1967- Conti Tino (GS Telewatt)
1968- Bettazzoli Mario (UC Bergamasca 1902)
1969- Brusamento Giuseppe (UC Comense 1887)
1970- Maffeis Giuseppe (CS Fiat)
1971- Villa Michele (Velo Sport Abbiategrasso)
1972- Cavalli Claudio (UC Comense 1887)
1973- Passera Claudio (Velo Club Varese Ganna)
1974- Gualdi Mario (GS Iclas)
1975- Barbisan Cornelio (SC Mobili Cesano Maderno)
1976- Saronni Giuseppe (GS Pozzi Ferramenta)
1977- Casiraghi Giancarlo (GS Pozzi Ferramenta)
1978- Casati Giorgio (UC Bergamasca 1902)
1979- Riva Diego (System Holz)
1980- Fedrigo Giovanni (Sisport Fiat Trattori)
1981- Milani Silvestro (Isal Tessari Salotti)
1982- Montani Dario (Isal Tessari Salotti)
1983- Volpi Alberto (Novartiplast)
1984- Del Ben Daniele (Bresciaplast)
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