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money was gradually paid off, a club member who owned a taxi ran a shuttle
between the cashier’s gates and the race HQ to ensure sufficient cash flow.
Koblet - Special ‘Ks’ As the race organisers finally shut-up-shop
after a busy day and night, someone thought
it would be a nice gesture to give the helpers
an after-hours supper in the café. The
subsequent whip-round however revealed that
only SF200 (old money) was left on the table
- just enough for a fried egg each! Such was
the behind-the-scenes glamour for the
inaugural event!
In stark contrast, the selection of
competitors for this initial “race of truth”
was outstanding. The Swiss were enjoying a
major high in 1950, with Hugo Koblet being
the first foreigner to win the Giro d’Italia and
Ferdi Kubler the Tour victory. The two riders
were of
Northern
origin -
from Zurich - but both were popular in Ticino,
mainly for their bare-faced determination
and stylish qualities against the watch. The
“Special Ks” from the “Land of Müesli” would
ensure huge crowds of spectators for a
one-day event, even with a field limited to
only ten starters. The inclusion of Fausto
Coppi - recovering well from a broken pelvis
in the 1950 Giro - plus the Italian “hard man”
Fiorenzo Magni and the Dutch pursuiters
Schulte and Peters would (it was hoped)
produce a cycling battle royal! On the day
Kubler - Special ‘Ks’
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