Learco Guerra

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Medal record
Learco Guerra
Competitor for  Italy
Road bicycle racing
World Championships
Gold	1931 Copenhagen	Elite Men's Road Race
Silver	1930 Liège	Elite Men's Road Race
Silver	1934 Leipzig	Elite Men's Road Race

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.

[edit] Career

Born in a frazione of Bagnolo San Vito in Lombardy, Guerra 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 championship, 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-Sanremo. 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.

Sporting positions
Preceded by Alfredo Binda	World Road Racing Champion 1931	Succeeded by Alfredo Binda
Preceded by Alfredo Binda	Winner of the Giro d'Italia 1934	Succeeded by Vasco Bergamaschi