Learco Guerra Pista Bicycle 1950s

Learco Guerra started to be a serious professional cyclist when he was already 26 years old.
After a not so successful football career, he eventually turned to the bicycle and became the dominant Italian rider in the following years.
From 1930 to 1934 he won every single Italian National Road Race Championship. Among all his other triumphs are a second place in the Tour de France and his Masterpiece, the Giro d'Italia victory. In 1934 he won the Maglia Rosa by smashing his competition. At 10 stages he was the first to cross the line.
His ability to win long stages by a continuous power output earned him the nickname the 'human locomotive'. Guerra set up a record of won races in a single year, which stood until the 1970s.

After finishing his career by winning the national championships for stayer racing, he became an appreciated bike manufacturer, was a technical commissioner for the Italian national team and later one of the best sporting directors for professional teams.
Together with him Hugo Koblet managed to win the Giro d'Italia as the first foreign rider ever. And Charly Gaul, who would become "the Angel of the mountains" and had been discovered by Learco Guerra, won the turns of 1956 and 1959.
His last discovery was Gianni Motta and there, too, his instincts did not fail him.

On the bikes that wore his name, some of the most legendary champions cycled to victory. Champions like Hugo Koblet, Charly Gaul, Rik Van Loy, Federico Bahamontes, Aldo Moser and many others.
Unfortunately Learco Guerra died already in 1963 and so the brand which made such great bikes ceased together with the fame of the former champion.

Still we got hold of a beautiful Learco Guerra Pista Bicycle from the 1950s! Several things are amazing about this machine: First there is the fact that it has the set of original parts on it. The Magistroni/L.Guerra components in combination with finest FB-track hubs and a classic Cinelli handlebar preserved this bike as something really original.
The skip tooth drivetrain is a sight which makes every vintage bicycle fan happy.
Another great detail is the optional attachment of brakes. Rather rare on track bikes but not completely unusual for Italian machines from the 1950s. Since many riders had to cycle their bike to the velodrome they had brakes which were quickly attached and removed from the frame. Besides the rear brake bridge our Learco Guerra also offers two bosses on the fork for an early type of v-brake - fantastico!

This bike looks utterly cool and would be a nice addition to any collection. But as well as being decorative, it could also bee ridden on an occasional mile around the track.