Richard Moore, Lionel Birnie and Daniel Friebe look back at the 1988 Giro which was shaped by terrible whether on the stage to Bormio, which went over the Gavia.
Snowy conditions made for a cold, miserable day in the saddle for the riders but there was no question as far as the riders were concerned that such a prestigious stage would go ahead. It would never happen today but it has gone down in Giro history as one of the most incredible stages of any grand tour.
Hampsten was not first to the top of the Gavia that day (that was Dutchman Johan Van de Velde); and he did not win the stage either (that was another Dutchman, Erik Breukink) but the American did take the pink jersey from Franco Chioccioli (who lost more than five minutes) to take control of the Giro.
Over to Hampsten, who usually lives for part of the year in Tuscany, to tell the story…
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COMING TOMORROW
We meet Trek-Segafredo general manager Luca Guercilena, who did not have a career as a professional rider but came through the management ranks at the Mapei team.
STACY SNYDER’S SECOND BATCH OF MUGS ON SALE TOMORROW
A second batch of Stacy Snyder’s mugs and cappuccino sets will go on sale on Wednesday (May 27) at 5.30pm UK time (12.30pm east coast). Etsy site: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SnyderCeramics
COPPA ITALIA OF CYCLING JERSEYS
What is the best-looking Italian cycling jersey of all-time? You decide. Starting tomorrow on our Twitter page is the Coppa Italia of Italian cycling jerseys. Vote for your favourites in the group stage now.
LIFE IN THE PELOTON
While we’ve been doing Our Giro, Mitch Docker and his old Orica-GreenEdge teammates have been remembering Their Giro when they won the opening team time trial of the 2014 race in Belfast.
WATCH OUR FIRST FILM
OUR SPONSORS
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