If Francesco Moser was, Giuseppe Saronni, the rival town par excellence, Beppe Roberto Visentini found in a difficult opponent with whom he fought with no holds barred in two intense and beautiful tours of Italy. 83 got the better, despite the "yellow Guttalax. But 86 from Brescia you took revenge with the historical attack Foppolo. That
between Saronni and Visentini, both Class '57, was not a rivalry as fierce as that between Novara and the Trentino, but has inflamed the roads of the Giro as rarely happened between Italian riders. And in our cycling led to a transition from the duopoly that dominated the seventies and eighties the great duel of the nineties, the one between Bugno and Chiappucci.
AROUND 1983
Absent Bernard Hinault, the Tour of Italy of 1983 promises to be fought and balanced. Francesco Moser, who lives the darkest period of his career, is among the favorites along with Giuseppe Saronni, Gianbattista Baronchelli and Giovanni Battaglin. On the downside, however, quotes Robert Visentin.
The race begins with the Italians more dangerous as ever. Beppe through a period of excellent shape and wants to prove, once again, to be our strongest runner. And a Saronni in full maturity, has a head and legs to put in all.
The Giro starts badly, however: the preliminary time trial in Brescia is canceled because of a roadblock protest by some metalworkers. The first stage is therefore effective in the team time trial from Brescia Mantova, won by the Whites, with Swede Tommy Prim wearing the symbol of supremacy. Beppe
The first ring was not long in coming. In the sprint of Todi demonstrates his authority by winning for posting. And three days later, with third place in Salerno, the head of Saronni overthrows Contini standings. Leader, its gets a run defense, much quieter. Meanwhile, the group started to emerge hierarchies about who will be his biggest rival. At first, the contenders seem to be Bontempi and Argentina, but another runner, stage by stage, comes forward as a surprise, showed great qualities of long-distance rider and climber: Visentini.
And when, in the time trial from Reggio Emilia, Parma, Roberto came in second behind Beppe, it is understood that two of them will fight until the end for the win. Imposing in a sprint finish in Bergamo, Saronni wins precious seconds thanks to the subsidies, but the Alps and Beppe incumbent knows that Visentini in the mountains is the strongest. Attacks on the Dolomites from Brescia with determination, but can not find the inspiration to pull the winning leader. Staccato
over 1'30 ", so Robert must stake everything on the last stage, the timing of Udine in Gorizia: 40 km which will decide the 66th edition of the Giro. But the race day occurs the episode that will go down in history as "the yellow Guttalax" before departure, a supporter of Visentini would try to put drops of strong laxative Saronni in beverages, so as to affect its performance.
The attempt, however, fails, and the race is held regularly: Visentini be stronger than everybody, but at the end off Saronni only 32 ". Not enough and Beppe, four years after his first success in pink, he wins the Tour of Italy. After that fought
edition, the fate of the two going in opposite directions and if Visentini continues to improve, Saronni begins as a sudden unexplained loss of form and motivation. It's great coming back after the last leg of Moser Hinault, it was not until 1986, to attend the second round of the duel between Novara and Brescia. A comparison of beautiful and exciting as much as the first.
1986: SECOND ROUND
Around Part 12 May 1986 from Palermo to the American Greg Lemond as a big favorite. Visentini and Moser also enjoy the underdogs, while Saronni, after two seasons in vacuum, is expected a crucial test for his career.
His second place in the preliminary time trial, just a "sprinters, Swiss Urs Freuler, bodes well for his full recovery at high level. The clues to his excellent run of form has been confirmed three days later in the time trial, from Catania to Taormina, with his victory, Del Tongo-Colnago him into the pink jersey, but already the next day to transfer it to Baronchelli first posting to on the goal of Nicotera. In the following stage, reaching Saronni proves to be behind Lemond. And twenty-four hours later, you take the lead at the end of Cosenza-power, 251 km compelling closed in the first place by the finish line off Beppe Visentini that of 11 ".
Saronni controlling the race from the sample, but not Visentini spring. The first real attack him Robert May 23: very good evidence in his trial by Sinalunga in Siena, Beppe, however, holding, limiting the delay to 30 ". At that point the leader of the Carrera hopes in the Dolomites, there will attempt to go for broke. Beppe also knows, and so, to surprise, from Brescia played in advance of Foppolo forcing on the climb. The strategy is working: Saronni, surprised, and lags behind Visentini, third at the finish line, as it rose to a week after the conclusion of the Giro. It will be the decisive move. The Dolomites
play in its favor, because Saronni no longer has the strength to fight back. You might try the time trial from Piacenza to Cremona, but he Moser, author of a good tour, to triumph, presenting it to the ultimate success. The ranking, however, will not change any more. The last stage, June 2, goes to the Belgian Van Lancker, while Visentini won the Giro d'Italy. Saronni is second at 1'02 ", Moser third at 2'14". Roberto's dream chased by a life is a reality.
SARONNI STORY
Giuseppe Saronni, for all Beppe, was born in Novara September 22, 1957. Piedmont only by birth, grew up in Parabiago, near Milan, in a family of cyclists. Thanks to the brothers Alberto and Antonio, three-time Italian champion cyclo-cross (in the '79, '80 And '83), to bike races approaching young. It starts at the track, where refined natural gifts of speed and learn the tricks of the trade that will be useful both in the sprints on the road. From
junior European title comes to speed and amateur lands 1976 Olympics in Montreal where, Callari, is eighth in the test tracking.
pure talent and cross, collect the trophy and in 1977 to 127 claims, only 19 and a half years, passing the professional black and white jacket of the SCIC.
The big jump is February 23 at the Trofeo Laigueglia, traditional event of the season. It is second ahead of world champion Freddy Maertens. In
Scic Chiappa begin to indulge the "child" as they call it the old Marple sprint Gualazzini and Paolini, who predict a bright future.
first win among the professionals arrive March 29 at Trophy Pantalica, where there is a slight final climb, good soil for the natural explosiveness that has legs, which enable him irresistible jerky and dried, preferably long. Beppe beats Paolini at the finish line and Moser, in his opinion hampered by a motorcyclist. The future great rivalry with Trentino starts there, with the first debate.
Saronni is strong everywhere, time trials, hill climbs and sprint. It is competitive in both races a day, both in the Grand Tours. It's scary fast to the wheels, which is often placed against or at least on the podium.
In rookie season, 1977, captures 9 wins: Pantalica Trophy, stage and final standings in the Giro di Sicilia, Three Valleys Varesine Giro del Veneto, Friuli Tour plus three circuits. Of these successes, seven hits them before the age of 20 years. Only the Belgian Frank Vandenbroucke in modern cycling, can compare in terms of earliness.
debut in a classic North, the Flèche Wallonne, Beppe finished second behind Moser feed a duel, sometimes fierce, which will continue until 1986. The excellent results freshman lead the luxury coach of Italian national Alfredo Martini for the world to convene in San Cristobal, Venezuela, which will make a significant contribution to the victory of Moser. Saronni comes 9th, placing more than honorable for a rookie.
In 1978, the SCIC, Beppe begins to get serious. He's only 21 years old and already runs with the determination and the decision of a veteran: he won the Pantalica Trophy and the Tirreno-Adriatico in preparation for Milan-San Remo, who would win if it were facing the unleashed Roger De Vlaeminck, then curls Cup Agostoni, Giro di Campania, Giro di Puglia, 3 stages in the Tour of Italy and the 5th place overall. In the world of German Nurburgring, won by Knetemann on Moser, is a close 4th.
In 1979, the bitter season begins with two second places: at the Milano-Sanremo, yet behind his nemesis De Vlaeminck, the Flèche Wallonne and again, this time behind Bernard Hinault. But from there on it will be a string of victories: the Tour of Romandie, the Midi Libre, three partial successes, and ending at the Tour of Italy, the Championship of Zurich, the Gran Premio di Camaiore, the Three Valleys Varesine Trophy Baracchi couple, mass, Moser. Not to mention the second place at Paris-Tours and disappointment for the 8th place in the world of Valkenburg won by Raas. A total of 29 victories
do, none of which is comparable to his first Tour of Italy: only 21 years and 8 months, in fact, comes Saronni Rose Arena in Milan. That edition will decide the eighth stage time trial of the 28 km from Rimini to San Marino: Beppe winning village and the pink jersey, which will take until the end. The 19th and final stage is yours, the time trial Cesano Maderno-Milano 44 km, which defines the final posting on Moser, second at 2'09 "in the overall standings.
In 1980, with 30 victories, it appears a photocopy of '79, but with the colors of the GIS, his new team: another 2nd place at San Remo, this time behind Pierino Gavazzi, follows the first at the Flèche Wallonne, perhaps the classic Belgian Saronni love most, and Nillson before Hinault. Then came the successes Pantalica Trophy, Cup Bernocchi, the Giro di Campania, in the Grand Prix of Larchwood, Varese in the Three Valleys and the Giro di Puglia. The Tour of Italy is its seven stages and 7 th place overall. He graduated from the Italian champion, but retired at the World Championships Sallanches, France, swept by the azure Baronchelli Hinault.
81, won 24 races but few of prestige: the Bernocchi, the Camaiore, the Tour of Etna, the Trofeo Laigueglia and the Romagna. Instead many regrets, as the 3rd place in the Tour (with 3 stage wins), 50 "from the winner Giovanni Battaglin and 12" placed by Tommy Prim, and 2nd at the World Cup in Prague, beaten in the sprint from Belgian Freddy Maertens . Past
the Del Tongo Colnago, Beppe is about to experience the two best seasons of his career.
The 1982 opens with victory in the Trofeo Pantalica and Tirreno Adriatico. Continues with the Tour of Trentino, and after the 6th place in the Tour of Italy and three stage wins, successes in the Tour of Switzerland, and Agostoni and Coppa Sabatini in the Milan-Turin.
The highlight comes at the end of year: the World Cup in England, with what will go down in history as the "shot at Goodwood." Behind the goal, shooting close to the finish line to shake Lemond and Kelly won the rainbow jersey Adenau touched with fourth place and, above all, the second in Prague. Is not enough, with the colors of wins the Lombardy, which closes a magical season: 34 wins.
In 1983, after three second places, finally reaches the victory at Milan-San Remo, in front of Bontempi and Raas. Beppe tries also to the Liege-Bastogne-Liege, but you have to settle for 2nd place: the joke, playing in advance, the Dutch Rooks. Then came an encore in the Tour of Italy, this time stuffed with race and time trial with a few mountains in the final standings ahead of 1'07 "and 3'40 Visentini" Spaniard Alberto Fernández Blanco.
In 14 months, from February '82 to June '83, the best ever Saronni puts success in the series. Then, the perfect machine begins to falter: only 83 victories for the rest circuit and the following season, two stages of the Tour of Norway. After a 1984
of complete anonymity, made even heavier by the overflowing revival Moser (neorecordman time, first in San Remo and leaders in pink), Saronni seems to recover in 1985, when it requires a couple of stages in the Giro d ' Italy, the Pantalica, and other seven victories, however obtained on circuits.
is doing better in 1986: seven hits, including second place in the Tour (behind and in front of Visentini Moser) and the third in the world of Colorado Springs, USA, from light Moreno Argentin won over Frenchman Charly Mottet. Beppe is the swan song.
From '87 to '90 because he wins a few races and all second level: the Milan-Vignola 87, his fourth Varesine Three Valleys in 1988 and little else. Closes his career in 1990 with victory in the Tour of the Province of Reggio Calabria.
Saronni was a champion whose decline began too soon. A sunset sudden and unpredictable: of his 194 career victories - including 85 villages of stage races (24 in the Giro) and 49 circuits - the 170 has captured well before the age of 26 years. After
competitive activity has been in professional cycling as a manager. Under his leadership, Pavel Tonkov won the Tour of Italy '97. Sull'ammiraglia Lampre Daikin, in 2001 he repeated the experience of piloting the success in the Trentino pink Gilberto Simoni, in-laws of Moser. What better nemesis.
VISENTINI STORY
Bresciano in Gardone Riviera, where he was born June 2, 1957, as a boy, Roberto Visentini seems to start a great career. In 1975, junior, became Italian champion and won the world road of Le Chalet-à-Gobet. In 1977, an amateur, he graduated from the national time trial champion. Skip
professional in 1978, a year after the most illustrious contemporary Giuseppe Saronni, and start winning the first race of a certain level in the midst of the golden era of the future rival, between 82 and 83. An accomplished climber
, powerful long-distance rider and excellent chrono but Beppe than, less strong in the sprint and held on the level of psychological nastiness of racing, the young Visentini looks like the golden boy of Italian cycling, the Italian response to French champion Bernard Hinault for national tours.
It features a rider suited to all land make it the ideal rider for the big stage races, because it is capable of suffering, racing and training. Look at all obvious to someone who, unlike many of his colleagues, comes from a wealthy family. Visentini father could work in the enterprise, thriving company of undertakers, instead he chose the bike. His passion as a child.
Italian champion in the pursuit 1979, in 1980 he won two stages at the Vuelta, including the preliminary time trial and is participating for the first time in the Tour of Italy, ended in 9th place at 20'37 "behind winner Hinault but after running from the 7th to 13th in pink stage.
The following year, is the Sammontana and won the Giro del Trentino. In the pink for a stop, the 13th, the tour ends in 6th place.
'82 is the first Trofeo Baracchi paired with the Swiss Daniel Gisiger.
'83, won the Tirreno-Adriatico, is the great rival of Saronno, that precedes it in the standings only thanks to subsidies, as the actual time of Brescia, Udine-Gorizia first in the time trial, is lower than that of Novara .
also fight to win in '84 (second in the standings is up to three days after the end) but then hit by controversy in and out of the race, it sinks. Beautiful
protagonist in 85, eight days in pink, from the 4th 11th stage, seems poised to win the Giro, but he fell ill and left the race, then won by Hinault. The pink jersey
the conquest, this time until the end of the Tour in 1986, thanks to a brilliant start and the wise conduct of the race on the climb Foppolo, seven days a dall'epilogo Merano: Roberto takes the lead and maintains it, leaving behind Saronni (at 1'02 "), Francesco Moser (at 2'14") and Greg Lemond (on 2'26 "). Failures not abysmal, but faithful mirror of the great balance that has marked the race game on May 12 from Palermo to the preliminary time trial won by Freuler. When
, May 14, turn left Sicily, pink is a favorite, a champion who, after a few dark years, is looking for redemption: Saronni. The sample of Novara, but just in the continent will have to cede control unleashed Baronchelli. The May 17 shooting Beppe Roberto won the jersey and its power to the first fraction.
There begins a tactically perfect race of conduct that will lead to Saronni Visentini to remove the pink jersey at the beginning of last week's race, the days of mountains. And the Alps, over those peaks from Brescia admired as a child by "his" Lake Garda, will administer the advantage to win his only Tour of Italy.
THE BETRAYAL OF ROCHE
In the 1987 Tour of Italy, won the preliminary time trial of Sanremo, rose again in the 13th stage, thanks to the sensational trial Rimini-San Marino in which the above specialists Rominger and Piasecki. Visentini is firmly in the lead, but his team-mate Stephen Roche, contrary to the orders of ds Boifava, attacks him uphill. Roberto gets nervous, try to reach the Irish with a reckless conduct of the race, but falls and must say goodbye to the race.
Two days later, however, in the stage from Lido di Jesolo, Sapphire, team-mate Stephen Roche - which this year will win the Giro, Tour and World -, disobeying the orders of the ds Boifava, the surprise attack. Visentini breaks down the head and legs and is disconnected. The Irish dress in pink and Roberto dopotappa accuses him of having betrayed him. La Carrera splits, Visentin, with morale in pieces on the ramp leading to Pila in Valle d'Aosta, got into a serious fall and was retired. Roche, won the jersey in a questionable way, defends the safety and won the Giro with 3'40 "on English Millar.
Visentini If we had thought more, this tour might have been his. But Roberto was on the run so. If arguing with someone or was there something that he did not, could not be cold and detached. And the psychological tranquility lost was reflected on his athletic performance. One feature, those ups and downs, which prevented him from keeping the promises of Italian answer to Hinault and worthy heir of Moser and Saronni perhaps the most comprehensive Italian rider of that generation.
Instead, from that moment Visentini breaks down. La Carrera still believe in him and the Irish hunting Roche - winner of the Giro, Tour and World - but Visentini not win more. In 1989, the trial
Malvor, engages him in 1990 the Jolly Components, which team will close his career after winning 18 personal success.
Today she runs the family business, the funeral company which had preferred a boy, his passion for cycling.
GOLDEN BOYS OF ITALIAN CYCLING
Face eternal child, the ultimate anti-Moser: Checco was the character and the controversy, the cunning Saronni sprinting or shooting guard. How to Goodwood. At the time it was impossible not to take sides or between moseriani saronniani.
Visetnini is one with a rather different kind of rivalry. Someone accused of being a succhiaruote Saronni. In fact, together with a sample of race, it was just smart, opportunistic, intelligent and strong. Legs, and especially of the head. Even
Roberto had the numbers in the sample. But maybe not the same desire to excel, to react to adversity. The sacrifices not frightened, "leg" - as the jargon - had, but to make him probably the fault of the killer instinct, a gift in hand Beppe available in abundance.
The two golden boys of Italian cycling could have a career even richer and more prestigious, but the double duel in pink - ended in a draw - there was still permitted in the history of the Tour and in the hearts of fans. Sorry if it is little.
CHRISTIAN GIORDANO
ch.giord @ gmail.com
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