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Not enough has been said about this day. This was the Big Time. You think you know hard? You don’t know hard.
This is the day Andy Hampsten became a hero. The only American to win the Giro d’Italia. Ever.
Andy began the day in the blue “overall points” leaders jersey, a combined “best score” in all disciplines of the race, which was cool, because as Andy tells us “it was wool. All the leaders’ jerseys were wool in those days.” As Andy recounts the story, you can hear in his voice that he’s back in 1988, only this time feeling pride and joy – but also remembering the fear that gripped the peloton as they climbed into the unknown that gray, sleeting morning… June 5, 1988.
Read the rest at Pez Cycing.
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Check out Bob Roll at the end of the clip. He looks like he is about to die. His accounts of that race are a must read.
The first three stages of the Giro are taking place in my favorite city in the world. Amsterdam(sp?)And I will be there for all 3 stages…YEAH. My favorite things in the world, Bikes and Weed….Oh yea….May 8th
Agreed. I heard Bob’s first hand accounts of that day. Re-freaking-markable. I want to say that he said his body temp was 86 at the finish. That’s knowin’ how to pay the price.
And I think that’s Ballerini right after, at 6.58. RIP.
YES AND HE DID IT ON A *LANDSHARK* AND YES I HAVE ONE.
so what’s up with the Italian behind Bob Roll doing the humpty dance?
If you were suffering from hypothermia you’d be happy to have a guy dry humping you too.
Thanks for the video. Been wondering if anyone would post that for awhile. I remember being in high school when Hampsten won it. As I remember, Bob Roll was with Andy on the early climbs, which totally confounded Andy, Mike Neel and everyone else on the team. Lots of crazy stories about Bob Roll, the dude seems harder than nails.
Breukink really goes by Andy and Andy doesn’t have ANYTHING to get on his wheel. But by the end, he really doesn’t seem that far back. What a day.
I met Hampsten at a bbq with a few friends in Boulder. Nicest guy, just like you imagine. Still likes to talk about racing but not in the Springsteen Glory Days way. A friend of mine was coaching Michael Barry a few years ago, and Andy would go out training with Michael. Michael could not drop Andy, this being like 2003 or 2004 and Andy must have been 42 or so. Seems the dude can still ride and still does ride.
Lest I remind you, Hampsten’s a North Dakota product. That’s right. Nicest guy you’ll meet, too.