[CR]Campagnolo history

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Chater-Lea)

Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2007 09:06:24 -0700
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
From: "Jan Heine" <heine94@earthlink.net>
Subject: [CR]Campagnolo history

Most people have heard the story how Tullio Campagnolo could not open his wingnuts during a race in the late 1920s, and this led to the invention of the quick release.

I am thinking about an article about that historic moment, but I haven't been able to find much information. Campagnolo USA used to call the race the "Gran Premio della Victoria", but the Italian site just speaks of "a race," and the American site has dropped the name, too.

I never have heard of the "Gran Premio della Vittoria." Was that a well-known race? Has anybody seen any mention of this race elsewhere? Perhaps that name is not correct? If it isn't, with the dates, it should be possible to find out the real name of the race. After all, there can't have been too many races in November that went over the Croce d'Aune pass.

The race was either on November 11, 1927 (Campagnolo official web site), or on November 4, 1924 (Chuck's timeline). Maybe somebody could check the archives of the sporting papers in Northern Italy around that time to find some info about the race. Which date is correct? What was the distance? Did it just include the Croce d'Aune pass, or other passes as well? How many participants? Any other great names of the future participated? How did other riders deal with the conditions?

Also, was it common to race in the mountains in November back then? Today, it appears most races are over long before then.

Any info would be welcome. I think there is a great story there...

Jan Heine
Editor
Bicycle Quarterly
140 Lakeside Ave #C
Seattle WA 98122
http://www.bikequarterly.com