The longest-running cycling race: a story spanning three centuries
This is the world’s oldest bicycle race, first held in 1876. Back then, eight pioneer riders astride their primitive bicycles first took the route that connected the two cities, and only four of them arrived at the finish in Turin. The race was iterated nearly twenty years afterwards, and then ran annually since 1913, only pausing a few times in the 1920s. After four years of absence, from 2008 to 2011, the race was brought back in 2012. Initially held in March, it became an autumn classic in 1911. In the second post-war period, the race was moved to March, and ultimately came back to autumn in 1975, either in late September or in October. Since 1987, the race has taken place in autumn, a few days after the RR World Championships, hence regaining importance as the new world champion would often compete in it, trying to score another win. Only two riders, Gianni Bugno and Laurent Jalabert, have succeeded in doing this. The race was cancelled in 2000 owing to a flood two days before. However, since the edition had been scheduled already, it was considered valid.
