Home » Memories of Fondriest: a snow-covered Giau and the Fedaia’s hard work

Memories of Fondriest: a snow-covered Giau and the Fedaia’s hard work

by admin

Fatigue on Fedaia and snow on Giau. The joy of triumph in Belluno and the mockery at the finish line in Sospirolo.

There are many memories that bind Maurizio Fondriest, the Trentino champion who was one of the references of Italian cycling at the turn of the eighties and nineties, in the Belluno area.

In these days when the Giro arrives in the North East, we had a chat with him retracing some of the moments that saw him protagonist on the roads of the province. Starting right from the pink race.

Maurizio, you played the Giro for the first time in 1987, in the first season as a professional, in an Ecoflam jersey. That Giro was won by Roche, taking the jersey in one of the most controversial stages in the history of cycling, that of Sappada, in which the fratricidal fight between Visentini and Roche took place at the Carrera home.

«The stage that reached Sappada I remember well, because it was that of the Roche-Visentini affair, but also because I fell, jeopardizing the continuation of the Giro. I fell down the descent of Monte Rest and arrived at the finish all skinned. The next day there was one of the most difficult stages, the Sappada – Canazei, with the ascents to Passo Monte Croce, Gardena, Sella, Pordoi and, last but not least, Marmolada. Back then the Fedaia was one of the hardest climbs. There weren’t the relationships that exist now, I remember that I went up with 41-25, it was very hard. I was bruised due to the fall of the day before, the effort was also great for this. My fans had come to see me right on the Fedaia and pushed me for long stretches. For me it was a stage – ordeal and the next day, in Canazei – Riva del Garda, my first Giro ended with a retreat ».

See also  US Open: Gauff and Sabalenka move into the final

This year the Marmolada returns to Sacile – Cortina, a climb that also offers another ascent with monstre slopes, the Giau.

«I remember the Giau at the 1989 Giro. We tackled it in Misurina – Colfosco di Corvara, a stage that came after that of the Tre Cime. There was bad weather right from the start and on the top of Giau, the first ascent of the day, we found snow. And from there to the finish line there was still a lot of road because it was necessary to climb Marmolada, Pordoi and Campolongo before arriving in Val Badia. Flavio Giupponi from Bergamo won and Laurent Fignon from France took the jersey which he then kept until the end of the Giro ».

Before becoming a professional, you were the protagonist on the Belluno climbs in 1985, at the Giro dei dilettanti.

«And who forgets that Giro? For me it represented a turning point. After winning motorbikes among the Juniors, in the first amateur year I didn’t do much and even the second season, 1985 in fact, didn’t start very well. At that Giro, however, I went really fast: I won the first stage, the Gubbio – Gabicce Mare, and the eighth, the Trento – Belluno. In the end, the Nevegal was done (from the hardest part, that of Castion, ed) and then you arrive in Piazza dei Martiri. On the Nevegal I had detached and managed to return two kilometers from the finish. It was a finish that suited me, with a jerk (Via Simon da Cusighe, ed) just before the finish straight. I won well, beating no less than a certain… Gianni Bugno. It was a win with a special flavor for many reasons. Among these, because we started from my region of birth and arrived in my adopted region, Veneto. At that time, in fact, I was racing for the Zalf of Castelfranco and at the Giro I was wearing the red jersey of the Venetian representative. That 1985 was a really good season: in addition to the two stages in the Giro d’Italia, I also won the Piccolo Giro di Lombardia and finished fifth in the Montello World Cup race ”.

See also  The Government confuses Zuckerberg's Meta with Reggio Emilia's Meta System

The following year you were still a protagonist in the Belluno area, this time at the Giro del Piave where you made a breakaway of about fifty kilometers and were mocked right at the finish line. We remember you furiously at Giovanni Viel’s microphone on the Sospirolo stage.

«Another day that I remember very well. In the end there was the Nevegal to face (this time from the Quantin side, ed). I went on the run, three of us climbed the Colle and then we pedaled for many kilometers in advance. On the finish line, Gianpaolo Fregonese from Treviso, who had not shot a meter, passed me. I was very angry but racing is like that. Last year, at the arrival of the Giro in Piancavallo, I had lunch at Fregonese’s house and we had a laugh about the episode of the Giro del Piave ».

After your career, you continued to keep fit and pedal. And you pedal on this Giro too.

«I have been doing the whole Giro with Mediolanum for 17 years. Yes, I cycle regularly: between six and seven thousand kilometers per season. Last year I was able to pedal a lot more, reaching 12,000. In the winter I like to ski touring. I don’t do things too difficult because I don’t have the right mountaineering knowledge. I made some difficult peaks, but accompanied by a guide. I believe that caution is needed in the mountains. Among the satisfactions on the snow, I also took away that of having completed the Mezzalama of ski mountaineering, competing with two friends ».

In the world of cycling you continue to be involved, as well as as a testimonial and entrepreneur, also as an agent.

See also  Denmark's Höjgaard won the European Series tournament at home

«Yes, it is an activity that I carry on together with another former professional, Paolo Alberati. We follow a dozen athletes ».

Which are the Italian riders that most impress you?

«Filippo Ganna has an incredible talent. But among the interesting young people who will be able to give us great satisfaction, I will also include another Filippo, “my” Filippo Fiorelli: born in 1994, he started competing late, around the age of 20. He is running his second Giro and so far he’s doing well (third in Sestola, ed) ».

And among foreigners?

“Everyone, Mathieu van der Poel. He knows how to win on the road, in mountain biking and in cyclocross: impressive ».

You may also like

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More

Privacy & Cookies Policy