Fausto Coppi’s 14-min gap solo victory (Milano-Sanremo 1946)

The 1946 edition of Milano-Sanremo was the first to take place following World War II. Held on the 19th March, it became notable for Fausto Coppi’s dominant performance, culminating in a decisive solo victory.

Coppi, who spent 18 months in POW camps during 1943-44 ¹, while he also contracted malaria, started preparing for the race meticulously as soon as it was possible. Nowadays it's usual that top cyclists are already in top form at the very beginning of the road cycling season, but back in Coppi's days, and even during the decades after him, the cycling world used to wake up very slowly from their winter sleep.

Unlike Coppi, who was very determined, very prepared.

The 37th Milano-Sanremo on 19th March 1946 covered 292 km. This was the era (between 1935 and 1953, when the race was held always on 19th March, the feast of patron Sain Joseph). Coppi, alongside with nine other riders escaped after five km. As usual, Turchino Pass came with 140 km to go, and Coppi managed to drop all his companions and continued riding solo.