Whether this little peck will have a positive or negative effect is yet to be determined. But after a good hop off the start line just moments later, Collins — along with his navigation partner, photographer Louis Klemenstaski — would make the best of the kiss’s powers, keeping with the front of the pack over the next five hours, and even leading for a while. Unfortunately, the kiss’s luck would not last the entirety of the race, as Collins and Klementaski’s 335 S would break down by the side of the road just before Rovigo. But, with Alfonso De Portago’s tragic fatal crash just miles ahead, maybe the smooch was actually luckier than originally thought? 

Photo: Emilio Ronchini/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images