Career
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. That same year he came second in the Tour de France after Italy"s leader, Alfredo Binda, proved in poor form.
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.
Grand Tours overall classification results timeline.