Who was the first cyclist to wear the Giro d’Italia’s pink leader’s jersey?

Learco Guerra was the first cyclist to wear the Giro d’Italia’s pink leader’s jersey.

The maglia rosa was introduced during the 1931 Giro d’Italia. Its colour was chosen to match the pages of La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian sports newspaper that created and organised the race.

Guerra, one of Italy’s leading riders and a powerful time-trialist, took the jersey after winning the opening stage from Milan to Mantua. He wore it for much of the race, although his overall advantage did not last through the final classification.

The pink jersey is the Giro’s equivalent of the Tour de France’s yellow jersey. It identifies the rider with the lowest aggregate time, while separate jerseys and prizes recognise points, climbing and young-rider performances.