Bugno or Chiappucci? A rivalry that perhaps it is consumed more in the newspapers that in a race but has the same passionate fans. Claudia and John, friends, enemies, in the early 90's have divided Italy as in the best traditions of our cycling. And what happened to the protagonists of the great duels of the past, right to enter one of the most loved by Italians.
AGAINST INDURAIN only the crumbs
Bartali and Coppi, Gimondi and Motta, Moser and Saronni: Cycling - especially our - lives of duels, major confrontations: against each other. The fans need a kind of derby, to catch fire as a victory for their favorite rub your hands for the debacle of the opponent. And if the rivalries are not there, if they invent. At least in part has been so perhaps for that between Gianni Bugno and Claudio Chiappucci, two very different personalities, two samples, which were often crossed in early nineties. A rivalry that could have been hotter if he had not had to deal with the excessive power of Miguel Indurain. A champion who, in big stage races, the ones that bring out more fans, leaving the other for the crumbs. And it's hard to get excited for a game already decided, if not for the second and third place ... neither friends nor enemies
If you have not been bitter rivals, at least not in the classic sense, Bugno and Chiappucci some have never loved. Too different, character and run. And in their stories. Gianni has already arrived in cycling with the spotlight, as the champion to raise and then celebrate as predestined, Claudio, however, the spotlight has always had conquistarsele, elbowing, day after day. The
Brianza Brugg, Switzerland Italian, could not stand, the Diablo, the inspiration, the bombastic statements that mess up that order, the tranquility that Hans was forced inside and outside the circus of cycling.
The Varese, however, suffer to Bugno, that air detached but apparently did not prevent John, crystalline talent to win when there were more.
Their has always been a friendly but distant, knowledge among colleagues, rather than adversarial. Hard to say if and how much it is estimated, beyond the official statements. Certainly not hated. Preferred, where possible, ignore each other, keep each on his way. And when they crossed, the two must be got along the best interests of the case were his own or that community.
If the legendary stage of the Tour '92, has helped Bugno Chiappucci, it was not to tease him, but for a tactical abstruse. And, on the other hand, the lack of joy Chiappucci in blue, Benidorm '92, for a rainbow of Bugno, was due more to the bitterness of defeat to win the envy of the companion.
SIGNS OF PEACE AND
the end of their careers, we witnessed some signs of peace, to some, albeit veiled declarations of esteem. First, two-time World Champion celebrates the grit, character, courage to Chiappucci. Then the Gianburrasca of two wheels - on the eve of a World Cup to be run by the protagonist finally - send a message to Bugno: "In competition, if it comes to helping John, I'm ready to do so, because he would be the first to give me a hand, if things work out well for me. "
rivals, but always with mutual respect for those who know the toil and sacrifices inherent in any undertaking obtained by bike.
Chiappucci In '91, author, on the hill, one click commanding wins in solitude the Milan-San Remo, Bugno replicate the success of the previous edition. Without scratching the fair play, Jack, with the group arrived at 1 ', applaud the outcome of the Super Classic, because "however, won an Italian."
more vibrant tones that Claudio used to pay for those behind, that they began to shoot when he believes it was not necessary. As in July '92, in the stage of Sestriere. Going back up after many years, "El Diablo" has not forgotten: "I was angry with the Italians who had chased me - remember Claudio - The Tour spent in Italy and everyone should root for a successful blue. Including ... Bugno.
UPDATED STORY
Born February 14, 1964 in Brugg, Switzerland, to Italian parents emigrated for work, Gianni Bugno started racing at 14 years. Cyclists Monzesi grows in student achievement and the Italian Championship individual and team, the Italian Championship as an amateur second series (1983) and the Grand Prix of Liberation (1985), a springboard to the professional. In fact, in September, all'Atala, led by Franco Cribiori. Even in pro
'ascent is constant: 3 wins in 1986 (Tour of the Apennines, in front of Francesco Moser, and those of Friuli and Piedmont), 5 the following year (a round of Trentino, a Giro Apennines and the first place and in the Coppa Sabatini in Camaiore but also forfeit the 17th stage in the Giro), 8 in 1988 (including the Giro di Calabria, the Apennines tris, the stage of the Tour Limoges, during rookie after breaking his collarbone in the Giro occorsagli, and a triptych of premondiale of Verona). It is that, his first season at the Chateau d'Ax ds Gianni Stanga.
1988 was a lean year: there's the success of the Three Valleys Varesine eighth place (the best of the blue) to the French world of Chambery.
In 1989 only get three hits: the stage of the Tour of Italy Prato, Varese and the Three Valleys GP Marostica. Tour misses partial successes, but much improved its ranking: 11 º 24'12 "from leader Greg Lemond
In the winter of 1989, the turning point that will become a 'big': meeting with the Courts, Assistant Stanga, who manages to give security in the race.
1990 is the year of the explosion, 13 wins Milan-Sanremo, Giro del Trentino, Giro d'Italy (also in pink and three partial victories). On his third consecutive Tour, finished seventh (at 9'39 "from Lemond), but with two wins, Alpe d'Huez and Bordeaux. Conquer the World Cup and was third in the world of Japanese Utsunomija.
Also in 1991, but with the new team Gatorade-Chateau d'Ax, won 13 races. Among these three stages in the Tour, the encore l'Alpe d'Huez in the Tour (finished second in 3'36 "by Indurain), the Clásica San Sebastián, and in blue, the World Championships in Stuttgart.
iris STUTTGART
The 1991 German World Cup circuit is not transcendental, slightly less than 16 km and a climb back to 6 but cycling.
The race started fast under a beautiful summer sun, all in groups of up to half of the race with the blues, Guido Bontempi all, very careful.
try Chiappucci action at long range, leaving him with ten, but the effort fades. After many skirmishes
you reach the last lap. At the sound of the bell triggered the French and Italian Maurizio Fondriest Marc Madiot. It could be the decisive run, with the blue as a logical favorite, but the person remains trans wheel action terminates along the ramps Horerbopsen. We then test Golz, which runs into the house, but no luck. Moments of uncertainty, the world lives the decisive moments, the gerrachie jump and those who still have energy to go out. Start Bugno, Indurain, and Rooks Meija; have sufficient space and strength and flies toward the finish line.
The sprint is a monologue Bugno, great progression and a bit of pathos when, too early, put your hands up in triumph from the handlebars. At a glance it seems that the Dutch and English have reassembled in the finishing straight, but John is a world champion with the apparent ease of the greats. Stuttgart is tinged with blue and offers to cycling Italian one of the most beautiful pages.
ON A RAINBOW TO BENIDORM 1992
The World 1992 takes place in Spain. Hot day, challenging circuit, a little less than 22 km. The rainbow jersey you conquer the lair of the wolf, Miguel Indurain, the first and third year course on his favorite streets. The first few laps
quiet. The first real action is in the eighth round, players Jeker, Rominger, Alonso, Zarrabeitia, Nevens, blue Chioccioli, Niederberger and Roche. On the climb of Alto de Jeker Finestraat yields, while Gonzales and Leblanc report on the group's head. Time two laps and the heat and the weight of the flight put an end to the bold attempt, and the best come together. A
about 40 km from the conclusion Chiappucci, Indurain, Rominger and the fast attack Jalabert at the bottom. It looks like the good escape, but the presence of French calm minds: no one wants to arrive and be escorted to beat in the sprint. And so the action is shipwrecked. Last
around, attempts are suesseguono, until the command escape in 17 including Bugno and the beautiful Perini, respectively, the defending champion and his loyal follower. The danger is French: they are five Bleus the lead in the peloton and among them is the specter Jalabert. The comrades protect him to give him the sprint, but "Jaja" has to deal with the fantastic pedal stroke of Bugno and strength of Perini. The sprint is a all blue masterpiece: the pilot to perfection Gianni Piacentino, which is repeated in his own way. Laurent Jalabert was second, third is the Russian Dimitri Konychev.
into the sunset
World aside, the 1992 is variable. Bugno was third in the Tour - the first vacation he had sacrificed the objective of participation in the Tour - and the momentum for the second rainbow jersey, winning the Tours of Milan, Lazio and Emilia and Turin. The 1993 is the year
Fogging: 18 ° in the Giro, the Tour 20 °, and six minor hits, the crisis caused by the separation from his wife Vincent, who gave him a son, Alexei.
The next year is the mcchia coffee color of his career: he runs with Polti, won the Flanders, is 8 ° in the Giro, he retires to the Tour, but the blow comes on the eve of World of Agrigento. Positive for caffeine in Agostoni. Farewell tris world.
Those spots (COFFEE) FOR TOO
The world championships of 1994 are held in Italy, Agrigento. Gianni Bugno points to the third jersey. His year is not to remember, but with the Monza - for better or for worse - the odds are impossible.
Gianni won the Tour of Flanders, but the moral, as usual, is fluctuating. To make a dangerous outsider, however, are two factors: it is not among the favorites in Sicily and the circuit seems suitable to its characteristics. But
a tile hits the blue team. At the end of the Coppa Agostoni, August 17, Bugno is found positive for caffeine. The suspension is two years. Those who know him will swear their innocence, claiming the habit of Gianni, before the races, to consume cups of coffee one after the other. According to others, caffeine was used to hide other, much less innocuous substances.
The CAS, the Court of Sport in Lausanne, reduces the stop in three months thanks to a legal technicality: the power on it to professional athletes and their federations to CONI. And according to the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) is the maximum suspension for use of caffeine.
Whatever the case, a stain never completely erased in the career of Bugno and a page that would have been better not to write.
LAST SEASONS
In 1995, the MG-Technogym Giancarlo Ferretti, won five races, including the Italian championship and the Tour of the Mediterranean. But brilliance and stimuli are dwindling. 4 wins in 1996 hits (one stage in the Giro). In 1997, the Mapei and won a stage in the Tour of Malaysia. A success in 1998, the Vuelta. Then, after the 12th pick in the world and Lombardy, says goodbye to the races. THE FAREWELL PARTY
seigiornisti A challenge to a scratch test. So leave the scene, on the eve of 35 years, February 13, 1999 in Milan, the Italian cyclist's largest class of the decade. In 14 seasons as a pro, 71 hits, on any terrain. To frame the career Indurain just a phrase: "It was the strongest of us all." Investiture, which is worth a thousand trophies.
Chiappucci STORY
climber, small (1.72 x 65 kg) and ungainly appearance, Claudio Chiappucci was born in Uboldo (Varese) February 28, 1963. Professional since 1985, before becoming "el Diablo", with cold runner, spent the Carrera a long follower.
The first success in the Cup Placci (1989), then there's the Milan-San Remo with a solo flight, the Tour of the Apennines, the GP of San Sebastián, the Three Valleys Varesine the Tour Piedmont, the Tour of Catalonia, the Catalan Week, the Tour of the Basque Country, three stages of the Tour is controversial and podiums in series: the second in the Giro twice ('91 and '92) and the "Grande Boucle" ( in '90 behind Lemond, Indurain back in '92, plus the third place in '91) and the World of Agrigento, won by Leblanc.
TOUR 1990, Lady Beware
The great cycling finds that champion almost by accident that still does not know it. Tour In '90, the first stage, in Claudio enters one of the many joints-bin that characterize the "Grande Boucle". The group leaves do, but the fugitives - with Italian, Steve Bauer, Frans Maassen and Ronan Pensec - will reach the bottom and with 10 'lead. Chiappucci dresses in yellow and there is 8 days, before succumbing in the penultimate stage time trial to the overwhelming power of Greg Lemond, who on the final podium in Paris is the first in front of Carneades Varese.
SETRA 1992, COMPANY OF OTHER TIMES
But the real enterprise, a rider from another era, the central Chiappucci the Tour in 1992. In the polka dot jersey of best climber and historic landmark, the 13th of Sestriere: a memorable flight, which lasted seven hours, 223 km to the attack of which 126 alone, before winning with his arms raised after an ascent of 11 km average gradient of 6.2% but with features that exceed 10%. Claudio
view Iseran salutes the company with which, at the 14th km, had concocted the action. Indurain leave it, but when the advantage reaches 5 'Bugno tries to mend the breach. The Spaniard, Vona and the American Hampsten are queued. On the Mont Cenis, Chiappucci passes with 3'33 on Bugno and Indurain, 4'03 on the other two. A 10 km to go, Jack collapses. Hampsten is in crisis, Vona resists. Indurain reacts, but also the 2 km wide navarro must surrender to the superiority of the hero of the day, first in front of Vona and 1'45 "for Miguel, which pulls the yellow surprise at the French Pascal Lino. For English Banesto will the first of two shotguns Giro-Tour.
AGRIGENTO 1994, THE GREAT OPPORTUNITY NOT
In 1994, running in Italy, Agrigento, the 61st edition of the World Championships, on a selective route that spans the Valley of the Temples, 13 km to be repeated 19 times.
The first is to try the Colombian Raul Montana, which remains in front of a hundred miles. In the defining moment, the Bad luck against Gianluca Bortolami, the blue in better shape. A puncture, while the brawl broke out, he takes away from the games. At the command remains
fifteen elements present Ghirotto, Cenghialta, Cassani and Sorensen. Chiappucci pay a moment of inattention, then dragging the hub within the French Virenque and Leblanc. The Dane Sorensen attempts to force action on a tour of the conclusion, but no luck. The last step, the ramp arrival, stretch and our trans Leblanc, generous Ghirotto. Chiappucci with Virenque wheel chasing a few tens of meters, when the climb gets tougher Luc Leblanc off the Dormouse es'invola to success, the first of a French 14 years after that of Bernard Hinault. Chiappucci and Virenque Clutching the Ghirotto exhausted, then the fourth, and stood on the podium at 9 "from the winner.
DECLINE
The last two years are, however, inglorious career. Caught with the rate of hematocrit dancer when Chiappucci stops running in a few realize it. A pity, because it was a gladiator who has given so much to cycling. Perhaps more than he took.
was not a computer, or loved to make friends by making concessions or gifts. This sometimes annoyed his colleagues, then there is nothing to forgive. The people always loved him but because Claudio gave running the show. Needless to wonder what it could achieve by providing, in addition to an exceptional strength, instead of diplomacy that has distinguished other captains. We'll never know, perhaps it is wrong to ask ourselves: why then would no longer be him, el diablo Uboldo.
GOOD RIVALRY
A healthy rivalry, which has so well made to the cycling of the 90's: Bugno and Chiappucci, with those characters, and especially so with that understanding and interpreting different races, have made history. Their wheels have crossed on every field, especially in the Giro and the Tour and while often running for second place behind the great Indurain, have warmed the hearts of fans as not happened since the days of Moser and Saronni. Gianni and Claudio, the class or grit? Impossible not to take sides.
CHRISTIAN GIORDANO
ch.giord @ gmail.com
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