The shot of the “Diablo” “I’m on the same level will be a thrilling ending”

Claudio Chiappucci won the stage in Corvara 30 years ago: “Few chronometers, that’s why there isn’t a master yet”

LAVARONE. “What I think? There are three of them up front and none of those three is able to make a difference. And therefore with the missing climbs in the end any of them can win ».
“The devil” Claudio Chiapucci, 59, has no doubts. In that trio, among those three, Carapaz, Hindley and Landa there is not, for the moment of course, a champion, there are three excellent riders, but the champion is something else.
«And this will ensure that the race will have a spectacular finish, a great thing for the fans on the streets or at home in front of the TV».

Why this balance?
«I know it’s funny that someone like me who would have won a lot more with less time trials in the big laps now invokes the races against the clock, but this Giro doesn’t have a master yet because there are no time trials. That make a difference and there must be ».
And they frighten the three. Did he see how much effort they took to detach Almeida?
“Of course. They managed to give him more than a minute and get at a safe distance but the Portuguese really struggled to pull him off ».

Let’s analyze the trio: Carapaz?
“He’s strong, but he struggles to make a difference. Do you remember the Turin stage? He attacked, but he did not increase the gap and then it was also reached ».
In a flash on the Magdalene from Hindley …
“Yup. The Australian rides agile, he has always remained with the pink jersey these days and he also has a strong team. Because if it is true that Ineos is a strong team, so is Bora. It is no coincidence that the most spectacular stage of this Giro was that of Turin “lit up” by the tactics of the Bora. Very good ».
Landa?
“He’s cool, but he doesn’t make a difference either. Because when you put the team to pull and do a strong uphill pace then you expect a climber to sprint ».
Do you like how they run?
«They shoot like in amateurs, often to no avail. I can’t compare them to my times. Someone like Pogacar would have won this Giro hands down. When he clicks, he greets everyone and leaves. And that someone like Indurain would have gone to a wedding even without so many time trial kilometers. Because Miguel was strong even uphill ».
And Nibali?
“Good boy. Fight, do what he can uphill where he is not at the level of the favorites. He is honoring his latest Giro in a big way. It would be nice to give him one last feat, but they won’t let him go: he’s still in a good position in the standings ».
Do you remember what happened on June 5, 1992?
“Of course. I won the big stage in Corvara in the rain, trying to the last to detach Indurain ». Then on July 18 at Sestriere he made the masterpiece. Because the Diablo with those three would have fun. It’s a lot.

[email protected]