Full name Learco Guerra 1936–1939 Legnano Nickname Human Locomotive 1940 Dei/Legnano | Discipline Road Name Learco Guerra 1928–1935 Maino | |
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Born October 14, 1902
Bagnolo San Vito, Italy ( 1902-10-14 ) Role Professional Road Racing Cyclist Died February 7, 1963, Milan, Italy | ||
Pedalando - Da Badia Agnano 6° Gran Premio Learco Guerra
Learco Guerra (October 14, 1902 - February 7, 1963) was an Italian professional road racing cyclist. The highlight of his career was his overall win in the 1934 Giro d'Italia.
Laearco Guerra, born in San Nicolò Po, a frazione of Bagnolo San Vito in Lombardy, gained the nickname of "Human Locomotive" for his enduring quality in plain stages. After mediocre attempts to play football, Guerra became a professional cyclist in 1928, at 26. The following year he became Italian champion, racing as an independent or semi-professional.
In 1930 he won his first Italian National Road Race Championships, the first of five straight wins. That same year he came second in the Tour de France after Italy's leader, Alfredo Binda, proved in poor form. The race was won by the Frenchman, André Leducq. In 1931 Guerra won four stages of the Giro d'Italia but not the final victory. The same year he won the world cycling championship.
In 1933 Guerra was again second in the Tour de France, and he won the Milan–San Remo. In 1934 came his greatest success, 10 stages of the Giro d'Italia and the general classification. He was also second in the world championship.
Guerra set a record of victories in a single year that was beaten only in the 1970s. His fame was exploited by the Fascist government, which profited from his heroic status.
After retirement, he worked as a team manager for riders such as Hugo Koblet and Charly Gaul.
Affected by Parkinson's disease, he died in Milan in 1963.