benito mussolini, italy's dictator at the time, tried to keep the bicycle races going while italy was involved in the second world war. the giro consumed so much gasoline, food, and other supplies that it would hinder italy's efforts towards the war, so the normal giro was not run. the government created a new "point series" giro that was composed of the major one day races that were run in italy, where the riders would earn points based on their placing in each race. some of the notable races that comprised this "giro" were the milan–san remo and the giro di lombardia. the new "point series" giro was first won by gino bartali in 1942. the 1943 edition of the government's giro was interrupted after allie forces landed in sicily and was subsequently mussolini deposed. with mussolini's reign over, bicycle racing came to a complete stop in italy.