It was not on the climb of the Madonna del Ghisallo, as in 1946, 47, 48 and 49, that Fausto Coppi won his fifth Tour of Lombardy. It was in a sprint, on the boards of the Vigorelli, beating a bunch of ten breakaway riders,’ reported L’Equipe on 1st November 1954.
‘But it was on the Ghisallo, in the autumn mist that drowned the [famous Sanctuary’s] bell tower with rain, that the great Fausto won another important battle. By standing up to youngsters who are hungry with ambition, by fighting with them in an attempt to arrive once again alone in Milan, he won back everyone’s hearts.’