NEMESIS THE DREAM AND THE SAMPLE OF SUFFERING
When, in 1994, the Russian Eugeni Berzin sweeps away from the classification of the Tour of Italy Argentin and Indurain, Bugno and De Las Cuevas, and Chiappucci Ugrumov, say too many people proclaiming the advent of the New Eddy Merckx. "
When 24 year old, powerful, strong and uphill time trial, hungry for money and victories, Berzin seems destined for a bright career. Too strong, confident of their resources and arrembante, to return to the herd or group to do to play second fiddle. Instead, the blond came from the cold does not find himself the most extraordinary state of grace. It will leave behind a feeling of incompleteness, as if the comforts of success, both chased, then he had been prevented from taking full advantage of the great talent he was gifted. A kind of wealth that will brake too nemesis from a potential career as a champion of great promise but never proved fully maintained.
completely different story and how to run the other great revelation of the Giro 1994, the climber Marco Pantani Romagna. He, too, born in 1970 in the second half of the 90's, with his exploits in the Tour of Italy and the Tour de France would have delighted fans around the world, before falling into ruin in the abyss of drugs and loneliness after the bloody June 5, 1999 in Madonna di Campiglio, where, exactly five years after his first tour to the exploit, was stopped for high hematocrit, on his way to win big for the second time the Giro.
agile climber, heir to the great and historical grimpeur which Charly Gaul of Luxembourg and Spain's Federico Bahamontes, Pantani was highlighted in 1992 by winning the Tour of Italy amateur. Turned professional after a year of apprenticeship in the Giro in 1994 won two mountain stages, in Merano and Aprica, a hamlet where all off on steep slopes Mortirolo. Born striker, this tour will end in third place behind Berzin and Ugrumov, captain of the Russian but in hierarchies intrene ousted from the only law that has citizenship in cycling: the road. YOUNG PEOPLE AROUND THE TERRIBLE
'94 '94 Giro Russian Oltrepò bunting comes in fact in great form. In all stage races sailed reached the top, and although officially the team focuses on Ugrumov, ds Bombini Emanuele, a former follower of Beppe Saronni, has clear ideas: that the race hierarchy.
Gewiss Ballan is a slap-up training: In addition to Ugrumov and Berzin, at the start together Argentina, Bontempi, Furlan, Volpi, Cenghialta, Zaina Danish and a long and balding, Bjarne Riis, who two years later put an end to the reign of Miguel Indurain in the Tour de France in imposing an edition undermined by too many suspicions of doping, also confirmed eleven years later.
is a wonderful tour and very hard to see that the rising star triumph Berzin and lean strongly to the fore a little climber and minutes, Marco Pantani, who is quartered and uphill cycling brings back memories of big business. And against quell'accoppiata youth and boldness even the king must give up the scepter Indurain.
The first twist is celebrated in Campitello Matese, 10 km climb that no one seems to take seriously and that, however, devastated the ranks. Argentin comes to us - surprise - in the pink jersey, but under a heat: with him sinking, Claudio Chiappucci, day-no, that ends up almost 5 'from Berzin, winner of the stage.
Russian is the real revelation and someone begins to think that Indurain is the time to abdicate: Eugeni goes uphill like a train, and time trial - thanks to his training as a follower - can defend themselves. It now has a team in its service: it is the same Argentin to communicate, after having left the pink jersey, which by that time all of the Gewiss Ballan will work for the leader of the standings. It
pedalicchia until the first big time trial, in which Indurain will Enforcing the law of the jungle: the 44 km from Grosseto in Follonica seem designed specifically for the navarro, sliding and flat, ideal for pushing hard on rapportone. But Berzin seems touched by grace, flies to 52 km / h on average, leaving De Las Cuevas to 1'16 "to 1'41 Bugno and Indurain even 2'34".
Miguel did not appear in top condition, but Berzin row as a missile. It goes on between falls and heart-pounding sprints to the Dolomites that celebrate the birth of the phenomenon-Pantani. In fact he is the hero with two exceptional companies in Merano and Aprica. At that stage, turns on the Stelvio and the first Mortirolo Santa Cristina and then click the Romagna repeating, send in crisis Berzin, left alone to pursue the fugitives: Pantani and Indurain. The Russian grits his teeth, limit the damage and keeps the pink jersey, but Marco's is on me. It takes time trial of the
Bocco to restore oxygen to Berzin, which shows, with the ringing victory, having absorbed the trips taken in the Dolomite Tappone and have found a nice ride at the final alpine labors.
And in Les Deux Alpes, located in Argentina as a follower of exception. The captain signed it the masterpiece of tactical race: first Berzin blocks that would go alone in pursuit of a Pantani unleashed, but also reckless and then, with the rest of the team only puts the wing pounding the pink jersey and the ferries to the final climb, Berzin where, still fresh, can be answered without too many worries to attack Pantani and Indurain.
The last Alpine stage, arriving in Sestriere, hidden pitfalls, but a storm of cold and snow do not recommend head shots and get to Milan in pink Berzin is almost a formality.
Sounds like the beginning of a dynasty. Instead, after the great undertaking Berzin not resurface over the top, thus disproving those who saw him as the new Cannibal of cycling, the Tour '95 won the penultimate stage and finished second, trailing by 4'13 "by Rominger master in pink; and for two days in yellow at Tour '96 Riis won with too many suspicions. For Berzin, promise never fully maintained, will be the last hooray.
by the Red Army ALL'OLTREPÒ PAVESE
Eugeni Berzin, born June 3, 1970 in Viborg, grows at the Leningrad school of cycling (track). With the selection Soviet national champion and the world in pursuit on the track in 1988 (student category), and in 1990 he won the world championship chase in the amateur category (individual and team).
then leave the track and choose to ride on road with CSKA Moscow. With the Russian national team participates in the World Amateur in 1992, in which it stands (even without going to the medal) during the race tracking of 100 km.
The following year, he moved to Italy in corrrre MECAIR-Ballan (then Gewiss Ballan), directed by Emanuele Bombini team.
is like a runner, Berzin. Enter now into the heart of the sport: first of all where Oltrepò Pavia, Broni, has set up home, tired of winter and even more grueling workouts imposed by Alexander Kuznetsov, a Red Army general and father-master Russian track. Berzin
The runner was born as pistard, and pursuit (individual and team) has his first international success. Comes to cycling by chance, after practicing ice hockey and cross country skiing, disciplines principles in Viborg, a Russian town near the Finnish border, through forests of birch trees in the eye. One day
salt on a racing bike for a race between young kids and not go down more: he understands that with that can go far, certainly more than able to father Valentin, a worker in a granite quarry, and mother Svetlana, a teacher.
A 14-year-old to school Kuznetsov, St. Petersburg, where he formed the Russian champions of the track World Cup and the Olympics are stealing all his medals. Seven hard years in a climate that most of the barracks from college, but there Eugeni learn to suffer, to bite the bullet, not to give up. But great atmosphere and iron-fisted military should not be a genius at that boy so stubborn and determined as playful and mischievous. Beyond the look, the more Mediterranean Sea. And arrogant as his huge class allows.
In 1990, when Japan won two gold medals in the pursuit (individual and team), he realizes that his history with the amateurism of State, and especially with the methods Kuznetsov, is over.
too strong even the lure of great cycling, to Bugno, Indurain, Lemond and sponsors and super gigs. He wants to win, Berzin, but also to make money, that they have the status symbol that only the West can give. Mirage that will be both its strength and its limit to reach the highest level and we can stay.
1991, THE ARRIVAL IN ITALY
From the gold of Maebashi to super gigs but the path is not quick nor easy and is marked by continuous confrontation with the former teacher. In 1991 came as an amateur in Italy, running with the Cuoril, won the Six Days of the sun and the Giro di Sicilia. Kuznetsov
it wants it back, with the inseparable Bobrik for the Tour of Mexico. The two return home and find themselves "delivered" to the barracks for a month, but especially by the national Olympic Games in Barcelona '92. You too: Eugene goes to Moscow and passes to tourer.
With the national team toured Europe military wins any race, but most of all is note. With him there is always Bobrik Bombini and their addresses, looking for young talents to set up a bracket and aggressive, to put at the service of Moreno Argentin, sea captain. Berzin does not think for a moment and sign a two-year ninety million dollars. This is small change in more than minimum wage, but feels he has taken the first step towards cycling matters.
The first year, '93, passes it to make the follower of Argentina, and to learn the craft: the first had never played a full season on the road and his muscles built for the track, with almost ten years of specific work , struggling to adapt to the big mountains. It is frightening in its power, however, that the captain relies when it comes to pulling hard on the plains or to repair a tear on the edge of the fifty miles per hour.
However, the first professional season in store for him little glory to the second week of Bergamo, mondtagna of the leader's jersey in the Tour of England and a win in a race tracking.
1994, TRIUMPH IN LIEGE
The explosion takes place in 1994, when it begins to be seen preparing the victory Furlan, his new team-mate at Milan-San Remo. For a test, his, that makes us understand what it could do if only he had the green light. But the hard school of St. Petersburg is heard: Eugene is loyal to the team orders, even when it feels in the legs that could greet everyone and leave alone. We can
Liege-Bastogne-Liege race in which Captain Argentin chasing quintet and his squire Furlan another statement of prestige after the one just centered in the "Spring Classic". For Berzin's time to leave the cocoon of anonymity gregarious, the role of young promising and the grueling game of Côtes that eventually released his name, power and arrogance, as in his character.
And with a sharp click, 5 km from the end to leave in place the comrades to escape, people from high-sounding name: Furlan, the world champion Armstrong, Chiappucci, Rominger and holiness.
That was the day it was understood on the legendary Redoute, when, at 37 km to go, Rominger tried to create a vacuum but was quickly found the blond on the hubs, piombatogli behind almost track stand.
Eugeni knows that Armstrong has no rival in the sprint, and so it plays its cards with the razor dry and powerful. There's a moment of heel: Furlan leave it, the others look, nothing is too high a risk to take the sprint Armstrong fresh. Berzin leads to all: when it is uncovered, with the wind in your face the wall, pulls out all the power and gifts of chrono-built from years of track and arrives alone at the finish line.
A beautiful victory, also the result of the team that worked to perfection: a Sanremo was him on the hill, opening the way for Furlan, in Liege Furlan to give him a hand, a few days later, in the Flèche Wallonne, the two will deliver victory to the Argentin captain, making him company on the podium all the blue-Gewiss Ballan: Furlan Berzin second and third. Almost a team time trial with the three alternating with pulling in perfect sync. And with the feeling that the composition of the podium or more children in the hierarchy of forces that amply on race.
FROM RUSSIA WITH FURY
Born June 3, 1970 in Viborg, Eugeni Berzin grows at the Leningrad school of cycling (track). With the selection Soviet national champion and the world in pursuit on the track in 1988 (student category) and in 1990 he won the world championship chase in the amateur category (individual and team).
then leave the track and choose to ride on road with CSKA Moscow. Berzin with the Russian national team participates in the World Amateur in 1992, in which it stands (even without going to the medal) during the race tracking of 100 km.
The following year was hired by the Italian team MECAIR-Ballan (then Gewiss Ballan) directed by Emanuele Bombini and moved to Italy.
His best season was 1994, and won the Tour of the Apennines, the Liege-Bastogne-Liege (upping Lance Armstrong) and especially the Tour of Italy, ahead of Indurain and Pantani. His victory in the Tour raises much fanfare as can beat Indurain (including trials), which has not happened for years.
The following year he came in second in the Tour of Italy (preceded by Swiss Tony Rominger), and imposes itself in the stage of Luino. Vince also Bicicleta Basca, and finished second in the Giro del Trentino.
Considered as the most important rival of Indurain in the Tour de France, won the team time trial with Gewiss, but then was forced to retire in the second mountain stage, because of bronchitis.
In 1996 he finished tenth in the Tour of Italy, where it's a time trial stage. In a fraction against time is also repeated in the Tour de France, where yellow jersey for a day. After the collapse of the last mountain stage, arrived in Paris in 25th place.
Not even the 1997 is a great year, the Tour never take the step of the best ever upward, and must leave the Tour after a fall. The Nations Cup is his only vacation satisfaction.
TIME BROKEN
Like all strong cronomen, engages in Record Time. Driven by his experience of the world in pursuit bicampione on track, Eugeni try to beat Christopher Boardman: 56.375 km, a record achieved in Manchester on 6 September 1996. A measure
nearly unbeatable because of regulatory changes introduced by the UCI after the British had crushed the limit recorded by Swiss Tony Rominger two years before: 55.291 km.
On 19 October 1997, the Bordeaux velodrome, Berzin we test more for the honor of sponsors for that conviction. But he leaves after 17 '11 ". Although the bike weighs 7 kg, with lenticular wheels 70, and tubular inflated to 10 atmospheres, the clock does not give him hope: the first is the separation of 3 km, is already the fifth of 17 and rose to the tenth to 42 ". Better to do than making a bad impression. THE LITTLE GOLDEN SUNSET
In 1998 moves to Française des Jeux, but does not get significant results. In 1999 he signed for second division, Amica Chips. The next year, is to Mobilvetta. In May 2000 he was excluded from the Giro for high hematocrit, and this is another blow to a runner who's hard to find too many seasons. And so, in 2001, retires.
Pantani, STANDARD HEX
Marco Pantani was born January 13, 1970 in Cesena. At age 12 he enrolled at the club "Fausto Coppi" of Cesenatico. August 5, 1992 turned professional with the Carrera Tassoni, a team which will run until 1996.
's first win in the pros' get to the Tour of Italy 1994, in the stage of Merano dell'Aprica that followed. In 1995 comes the village of Flumsberg victory in the Tour of Switzerland, but the two (Alpe d'Huez and Guzet Neige) in the Tour de France impose the attention of the general public and the media. The myth of what will become the Pirate (for suoandare always all'attaccoe colored bandana to wear instead of the traditional cap) was born there, on the climbs of the Tour
In the same year he won the bronze at the World Championships in Colombia Duitama , behind the English Indurain and Olano, but is lurking the first great drama of his career: the terrible accident at the Milan-Turin, where a car's broken both legs, forcing him to care and long jump for the whole season. In 1997 he
the Mercatone Uno, but the misfortune haunts him: a drop in the Giro (May 24, the stage that ends in Cava dei Tirreni) forced him to retire, then takes the stage at the Tour where he won the Alpe d'Huez and Morzine.
1998 is the year of room, extraordinary feat: he won the Tour of Italy, where it is imposed in two stages (Piancavallo and Montecampione) and the Tour de France, in which he won his stages of Plateau de Beille and Les Deux Alpes. The shotgun was in the same season could only Coppi, Anquetil, Merckx, Hinault, Indurain, and Roche.
that bloody June 5
great start to 1999, Pantani looks set to dominate as the previous year. Tour to take the pink jersey, he won four stages: Gran Sasso, Oropa Pampeago, Madonna di Campiglio. Just on the ramps of the road rising from Pinzolo to the location of the Brenta Dolomites leaves only, in his own way, with a sharp click, irresistible.
will be the last time you will see the "real" Marco Pantani. The morning after the triumphant victory in Madonna di Campiglio, the pink jersey is stopped: a control, on which they were running then entries of any kind, reveals a level of hematocrit is too high, out of the norm. As per the regulation then in force, the rider is stopped for a fortnight.
For Pantani began a nightmare that, five years later, will end in tragedy: he proclaimed his innocence, but must leave the tour was already her now and instead will leave without him. Marco is a broken man. From here begins the downward trend: the climber who dominated the climbs fails to curb its descent into the underworld of inner crises and the difficulty of finding themselves. "I have always raised, but this time I will not make," he said June 5, 1999, to nearly realizing that he was really over.
Marco tries to react, to return as before. He returned to the Tour in 2000, the Jubilee, and that part of the way from Rome. Although not very well trained Pantani improves step by step and is the protagonist in the last week helping fellow Garzelli win the Giro (28 ° Marco close, almost an hour behind the winner).
the Tour wins the stages of the Mont Ventoux, peak legendary, and Courchevel before retiring. Meanwhile, continuing its legal battles to defend themselves against accusations of doping, but never proven, but it does not seem to find within himself the strength to start again.
in 2003 seems to be able to return to good levels. He began the season with second place in a stage of the Week of Coppi and Bartali. At the Giro 2003 is in fair condition. The people have always been with him, and the 14th place, despite the significant fall again, it is hoped that the worst is behind us. Instead, his team, Mercatone Uno, is not invited to the Tour and maybe this is the final blow: in June, Pantani is hospitalized in a clinic near Padova to detoxify. It is the latest news "Official" before the desperate and tragic death in a residence in Rimini February 14, 2004 in mysterious circumstances and after a mysterious trip to Cuba
But the racer's favorite since Fausto Coppi if they had already gone five years before. In the bloody June 5 at Madonna di Campiglio.
CHRISTIAN GIORDANO
ch.giord @ gmail.com
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