From: cyclingnews.commsr03Open ↗
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As the 3.3 km climb of the Poggio commenced, Cipo looked great, pedaling up just behind the massed
red jerseys of the Saeco team. The record for the Poggio climb is 5'22" by Giorgio Furlan in 1994,
and last year, Bettini topped the hill in 6'15" and was then caught on the descent in San Remo.
Early on, Saeco's Alexander Shefer took of with Di Luca on his wheel. It was a daring early attack
by the dynamic young star Di Luca, who crashed just before the Poggio last year, but his pace began
to slow after gaining over 10". Bettini and Paolini waited to made their move on the false flat
after the Sanctuary of Madonna della Guardia, where other winners like Saronni, Fondriest and Furlan
had gone before.
Only Celestino could follow when they pounced and the trio rapidly caught Di Luca. "It was too bad
for me (on the Poggio) since I had a strong headwind all the way up", Di Luca told Cyclingnews.
"When I was caught, I simply had nothing left to stay. But I feel good for the team and good for
Celestino," explained the simpatico rider from Spoltore.
Over the top of the Poggio, the front four had clocked a time of 6'13, just 2" ahead of last
year's pace.
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Giorgio Furlan, a one year wonder from the Golden Age of EPO . . .
(cough, cough, cough)
. . . excuse me, the Golden Age of Italian Domination of Cycling, rode a 5:22 and now the best a 49%
Bettini can muster is 6:13?
EPO, as we all know, is *the [censored]*.
After I finish my 12 week cycle of EPO (or Aranesp, take your pick), my hematocrit should be 65 and
I'd almost be a lock for the MASTERS STARS'N'STRIPES! jersey except for the other Old Fatties whom
are also on EPO.
Life is a [censored]. I can never seem to get ahead.
K. Gringioni rbr masters national champion