article by Nicola Pucci
When it is now approaching the 33 springs, Francesco Moser is missing two pieces to complete his wonderful list of pedal champions: Milan-Sanremo and Giro d’Italia.
In fact, since his debut in great cycling the champion from Palù di Giovo has pursued the two races that more than others fuel the legend of Italian cycling, the “very classic for spring” and the “pink ride“, That when approaching the 1984 season they always rejected the Trentino player. In Liguria, for example, Moser took second place in 1975, beaten in the sprint by Eddy Merckx who on that occasion achieved his sixth success in Sanremo, subsequently collecting a consistent number of placings (fourth in 1979 and 1982, sixth in 1978 and 1980, eighth in 1976) which more than satisfied, hurt his pride as a champion; at the Giro, sometimes perfectly designed for his characteristics more as a long distance runner-sprinter than as a climber, he came second in 1977 and 1979 (beaten by Michel Pollentier and Giuseppe Saronni), climbing to the third step of the podium in 1978 and finishing fourth in 1976.
In short, he who dominated the 1977 World Championship in San Cristobal, who achieved three consecutive Paris-Roubaix from 1978 to 1980, who put his wheel ahead of everyone else at the 1974 Paris-Tours, at the Freccia Vallone and at the 1977 Zurich Championship, and tamed the walls of the 1979 Ghent-Wevelgem, I would really like to add something “Italian” to the two successes achieved at the Giro di Lombardia, in 1975 and 1978. But the years, inexorably, pass, the identity card presents the bill and, realistically, the hopes of finally conquering Sanremo and the Giro really begin to dwindle more and more. But… but i1984 is upon us, and for Francesco Moser it will be a year of grace.
It’s a polished Moser that presents itself at the start of the new cycling season. Thanks to the fundamental support of the scientific team of Energized by Paolo Sorbini, and with the support of Professor Francesco Conconi, the Trentino has drastically changed the methods of preparation and nutrition, and immediately had an exploit in store that was destined to change the history of cycling: on January 19, in Mexico City, Francesco set the new hour record, 50.808 km.undoubtedly favored by carrying out the attempt at high altitude and with the use of lenticular wheels, designed by Professor Antonio Dal Monte, improving it four days later to 51.151 km. And when you move from the track to the road, Moser is so fit that he doesn’t hide the fact that he wants to try to break the bank at Milan-Sanremo.
The “Very classic” is scheduled for March 17, the usual 294 kilometers of effort which include, as per tradition, the climbing of Colle del Turchino in the first part of the race, the approach to the three Capes (Mele, Cervo and Berta) when reaching the Riviera , the ascent of the Cipressa, and, last but not least, the Poggio di Sanremo, usually a launching pad for those who want to grab the glory when passing under the arrival banner of Via Roma. Giuseppe Saronni, triumphant twelve months earlier in the rainbow jersey, is the defending champion, and like the Lombard other noble contenders, such as the Irish Sean Kelly, the French Laurent Fignon and Bernard Hinault, and the Belgian Eric Vanderaerden, in addition to the champion of world Greg Lemond, wink at the final victory. Moser, for his part, plans the sensational shot.
The first escape attempt takes place after 92 kilometers in Pozzolo Formigaro, and the daredevil is a young man from Romagna from Riolo Terme, Elio Festawho runs for the Santini directed by Bruno Reverberi. At the top of the Turchino, with the weather exploding, unloading a storm of sleet and wind on the runners, the pacesetter can count on an advantage of about 5 minutes over the Australian Phil Andersonone capable of winning the Amstel Gold Race in 1983 and finishing fifth in the Tour de France the year before.
But it is behind the two attackers that an episode takes place that is destined to affect the outcome of the race. Going up towards the Turchino, a gigantic carambola occurs within the group which, in addition to adding additional effort for some riders, forces many of them to retire. Among those involved, some favorites of the day before such as Laurent Fignon, Giovanni Battaglin, Bernard Hinault (who, despite having no consequences, prefers to withdraw from a race which in his legendary career has never seen him among the protagonists) and Francesco Moser, who to get back on track and avoid the pile of bikes and runners on the asphalt improvises as a cyclocrosser with the mechanical vehicle on his shoulders and covers a long stretch between the fields and the mud.
While in front Anderson approaches Festa, the new record holder of the hour is forced into a long chase lonely on the descent towards Voltri. Roberto Visentini and Urs Freuler also try, forcing Moser again into another 12 kilometer hunt, but shortly before Arenzano the Australian reaches and leaves the Romagna rider on site, while behind the Trentino rider, who has just returned, to avoid further trouble as much as possible, he takes the lead of the group strong of about forty units.
On Capo Berta, Anderson’s lead stands at one minute, while among the pursuers, Moser still has a tough time, ending up on a ditch and avoiding a fall by leaning on a wall. Halfway through Cipressa, the Australian is caught again and the stalemate with which the ascent ends suggests that the games for success will be defined on the Poggioeven if the risky descent from Costarainera creates many difficulties for Guido Bontempi and Jan Raas, the 1977 winner, who falls into a ravine and is saved by the miraculous landing on an olive tree.
Just before the final climb, the Norwegian Ole Christian Silseth attempts a solo, caught in the first meters of the climb. On the ashes of that attempt, the Frenchman Marc Madiot, the Irishman Stephen Roche and the Englishman Robert Millar start. An irrepressible Moser returns to the three men in command in the Gis-Gelati jersey.who, insensitive to the efforts of a race that forced him to continuous pursuits, he launches himself downhill as only he can do. And for the others, even for Alfredo Chinetti who is the last to give in, thanks to a skid on a bend, all that remains is the sprint for the place of honor, which rewards Kelly with the second coin ahead of Vanderaerden, Paolo Rosola and Daniele Caroli.
20 seconds before them, and after two months from the Mexico City hour record, with an approach to the “Very classic” which saw him win (for the sixth time!) the Six Days of Milan paired with the Dutch René Pijnen, Francesco Moser, protagonist of one of the best performances of his long career, has finally broken the spell that always wanted him defeated in the City of Flowers. And if the first to compliment him is his eternal rival Saronni, well, really, that 1984 was truly a year of grace. Because then in May “the sheriff” it will also dispel the Giro d’Italia taboo…