1987 Giro d'Italia

70th edition: May 21 - June 13

Results, stages with running GC, photos and history

1986 Giro | 1988 Giro | Giro d'Italia Database | 1987 Giro Quick Facts | 1987 Giro d'Italia Final GC | Stage results with running GC | The Story of the 1987 Giro d'Italia

Map of the 1987 Giro d'Italia

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1987 Giro Quick Facts:

3,915 km raced at an average speed of 37.05 km/hr

180 starters and 133 classified finishers

The Carrera team had two capable, difficult-to-manage riders on its team, 1986 Giro winner Roberto Visentini and Stephen Roche, who was enjoying a terrific spring.

They disliked each other intensely and both intended to win the Giro.

Roche attacked Visentini in stage 15 to Sappada and took the lead by 5 seconds over Tony Rominger.

Carrera management and all of Italy was upset, to say the least. Roche went on to win not only the Giro, but also the Tour de France and the World Championships, joining Eddy Merckx as the second-ever rider to do so.

Les Woodland's book Sticky Buns Across America: Back roads biking from sea to shining sea is available as an audiobook here.

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1987 Giro d'Italia Complete Final General Classification:

1. Stephen Roche (Carrera): 105hr 39min 40sec
2. Robert Millar (Panasonic) @ 3min 40sec
3. Erik Breukink (Panasonic) @ 4min 17sec
4. Marino Lejarreta (Caja Rural) @ 5min 11sec
5. Flavio Giupponi (Del Tongo) @ 7min 42sec
6. Marco Giovannetti (Gis Gelati-Jolly Scarpe) @ 11min 5sec
7. Phil Anderson (Panasonic) @ 13min 36sec
8. Peter Winnen (Panasonic) @ 13min 56sec
9. Johan Van der Velde (Gis Gelati-Jolly Scarpe) @ 13min 57sec
10. Steve Bauer (Toshiba) @ 14min 41sec
11. Jokin Mujika (Caja Rural) @ 15min 14sec
12. Eddy Schepers (Carrera) @ 18min 26sec
13. Claudio Savini (Fibok-Sidermec) @ 20min 7sec
14. Franco Chioccioli (Gis Gelati-Jolly Scarpe) @ 20min 39sec
15. Roberto Conti (Selca-Thermomec) @ 20min 49sec
16. Jean-François Bernard (Toshiba) @ 21min 39sec
17. Mario Beccia (Remac-Fanini) @ 22min 12sec
18. Pedro Muñoz (Fagor) @ 23min 29sec
19. Jiri Skoda (Ecoflam-BFB) @ 26min 37sec
20. Emanuele Bombini (Gewiss-Bianchi) @ 27min 15sec
21. Eric Caritoux (Fagor) @ 28min 15sec
22. Alessandro Pozzi (Del Tongo) @ 28min 37sec
23. Alberto Volpi (Gewiss-Bianchi) @ 29min 51sec
24. Rodolfo Massi (Magniflex) @ 35min 11sec
25. Jean-Claude Bagot (Fagor) @ 36min 30sec
26. Andreas Kappes (Toshiba) @ 37min 18sec
27. Guy Nulens (Panasonic) @ 42min 21sec
28. Robert Forest (Fagor) @ 41min 31sec
29. Alessandro Paganessi (Ariostea) @ 42min 23sec
30. Stefano Tomasini (Remac-Fanini) @ 43min 29sec
31. Moreno Argentin (Gewiss-Bianchi) @ 45min 15sec
32. Franco Vona (Supermercati Brianzoli) @ 48min 1sec
33. Alfio Vandi (Ariostea) @ 48min 56sec
34. Kjell Nilsson (Ariostea) @ 49min 53sec
35. Gianluca Brugnami (Paini-Sidi) @ 55min 35sec
36. Alberto Elli (Remac-Fanini) @ 57min 10sec
37. Juan-Tomas Martinez-Gutierrez (Zahor Chocolates) @ 59min 51sec
38. Mauro-Antonio Santaromita (Magniflex) @ 1min 1min 5sec
39. Ennio Vanotti (Del Tongo) @ 1min 4min 46sec
40. Marino Amadori (Ecoflam-BFB) @ 1hr 15min 54sec
41. Roberto Pagnin (Gewis-Bianchi) @ 1hr 16min 9sec
42. Alessandro Gianelli (Magniflex) @ 1hr 20min 3sec
43. Davide Cassani (Carrera) @ 1hr 21min 9sec
44. Hennie Kuiper (Roland-Skala) @ 1hr 21min 44sec
45. Angel De Las Heras (Zahor Chocolates) @ 1hr 34min 37sec
46. Erico Pochini (Fibok-Sidermec) @ 1hr 26min 42sec
47. Renato Piccolo (Gewis-Bianchi) @ 1hr 29min 1sec
48. Claudio Chiappucci (Carrera) @ 1hr 29min 23sec
49. Luigi Furlan (Paini-Sidi) @ 1hr 29min 29sec
50. Claudio Vandelli (Ariostea) @ 1hr 29min 36sec
51. Czeslaw Lang (Del Tongo) @ 1hr 34min 11sec
52. Dietrich Thurau (Panasonic) @ 1hr 34min 59sec
53. Lech Piasecki (Del Tongo) @ 1hr 39min 22sec
54. Marco Saligari (Ariostea) @ 1hr 40min 43sec
55. Philippe Chevalier (Toshiba) @ 1hr 41mn 6sec
56. Jesus Ibanez-Loyo (Zahor Chocolates) @ 1hr 43min 20sec
57. Bruno Leali (Carrera) @ 1hr 43min 48sec
58. Edoardo Rocchi (Selca-Thermomec) @ 1hr 44min 12sec
59. Dag-Erik Pedersen (Ariostea) @ 1hr 44min 53sec
60. Massimo Ghirotto (Carrera) @ 1hr 45min 39sec
61. Richard Trinkler (Fibok-Sidermec) @ 1hr 45min 51sec
62. Jean Habets (Transvemij-Van Schilt) @ 1hr 47min 46sec
63. Marco Vitali (Atala-Ofmega) @ 1hr 50min 51sec
64. Fabrizio Vanucci (Selca-Thermomec) @ 1hr 51min 12sec
65. Hubert Seiz (Supermercati Brianzoli) @ 1hr 52min 15sec
66. Marco Tabai (Remac-Fanini) @ 1hr 54min 58sec
67. Sergio Finazzi (Remac-Fanini) @ 1hr 55min 35sec
68. Benny Van Brabant (Selca-Thermomec) @ 1hr 58min 42sec
69. Henk Lubberding (Panasonic) @ 1hr 59min 45sec
70. Luigi Botteon (Remac-Fanini) @ 2hr 0min 19sec
71. Pierino Gavazzi (Remac-Fanini) @ 2hr 0min 29sec
72. Daniel Wyder (Transvemij-Van Schilt) @ 2hr 5min 12sec
73. Patrick Serra (Ariostea) @ 2hr 6min 37sec
74. Valerio Piva (Ariostea) @ 2hr 10min 34sec
75. Mario Noris (Atala-Ofmega) @ 2hr 15min 31sec
76. Santiago Portillo-Rosado (Zahor Chocolates) @ 2hr 23min 41sec
77. Giuseppe Petito (Gis Gelati-Jolly Scarpe) @ 2hr 24min 0sec
78. Antonio Bevilacqua (Supermercati Brianzoli) @ 2hr 24min 23sec
79. Roland Leclerc (Caja Rural) @ 2hr 24min 26sec
80. Sergio Scremin (Paini-Sidi) @ 2hr 25min 54sec
81. Camillo Passera (Ecoflam-BFB) @ 2hr 27min 5sec
82. Janus Kuum (Toshiba) @ 2hr 28min 15sec
83. Ennio Salvador (Gis Gelati-Jolly Scarpe) @ 2hr 28min 43sec
84. Bruno Cenghialta (Magniflex) @ 2hr 29min 27sec
85. Pascal Jules (Caja Rural) @ 2hr 30min 40sec
86. Orlando Maini (Ecoflam-BFB) @ 2hr 31min 43sec
87. Francesco Rossignoli (Carrera) @ 2hr 23min 7sec
88. Paolo Cimini (Remac-Fanini) @ 2hr 33min 16sec
89. Maurizio Rossi (Ecoflam-BFB) @ 2hr 34min 58sec
90. Ludwig Wijnants (Roland-Skala) @ 2hr 34min 59sec
91. Mauro Franceschini (Fibok-Sidermec) @ 2hr 36min 55sec
92. Romano Randi (Selca-Thermomec) @ 2hr 40min 40sec
93. Godi Schmutz (Fibok-Sidermec) @ 2hr 41min 2sec
94. Juan Fernandez (Zahor Chocolates) @ 2hr 41min 45sec
95. Rob Kleinsman (Transvemij-Van Schilt) @ 2hr 42min 9sec
96. Enrico Galleschi (Magniflex) @ 2hr 43min 59sec
97. Luciano Boffo (Ecoflam-BFB) @ 2hr 49min 2sec
98. Flavio Chesini (Magniflex) @ 2hr 51min 26sec
99. Jaime Vilamazo (Caja Rural) @ 2hr 52min 54sec
100. Brian Holm (Roland-Skala) @ 2hr 53min 0sec
101. Paul Popp (Paini-Sidi) @ 2hr 55min 2sec
102. Martin Schalkers (Transvemij-Van Schilt) @ 2hr 55min 28sec
103. Fabio Roscioli (Ariostea) @ 2hr 56min 45sec
104. Urs Freuler (Atala-Ofmega) @ 2hr 59min 40sec
105. José-Julian Balaguer (Caja Rural) @ 3hr 0min 18sec
106. Giuseppe Calcaterra (Atala-Ofmega) @ 3hr 4min 35sec
107. Milan Jurco (Supermercati Brianzoli) @ 3hr 7min 43sec
108. Guido Bontempi (Carrera) @ 3hr 10min 14sec
109. Othmar Haefliger (Toshiba) @ 3hr 12min 13sec
110. Palmiro Masciarelli (Gis Gelati-Jolly Scarpe) @ 3hr 12min 14sec
111. Theo De Rooy (Panasonic) @ 3hr 12min 30sec
112. Stefano Zanatta (Supermercati Brianzoli) @ 3hr 14min 17sec
113. Rudy Patry (Roland-Skala) @ 3hr 15min 9sec
114. John Talen (Panasonic) @ 3hr 16min 8sec
115. Dario Mariuzzo (Gewiss-Bianchi) @ 3hr 17min 37sec
116. Salvatore Cavallaro (Atala-Ofmega) @ 3hr 20min 51sec
117. Eddy Planckaert (Panasonic) @ 3hr 24min 57sec
118. Maurizio Colombo (Del Tongo) @ 3hr 25min 44sec
119. Fran Hoste (Fagor) @ 3hr 29min 4sec
120. Johan Lammerts (Toshiba) @ 2hr 30min 32sec
121. Silvano Riccò (Fibok-Sidermec) @ 3hr 31min 2sec
122. Alessio Di Basco (Remac-Fanini) @ 3hr 31min 30sec
123. Christian Chaubet (Fagor) @ 3hr 32min 40sec
124. Franco Ballerini (Magniflex) @ 3hr 35min 43sec
125. Adriano Baffi (Gis Gelati-Jolly Scarpe) @ 3hr 36min 38sec
126. Paolo Rosola (Gewiss-Bianchi) @ 3hr 38min 57sec
127. Jos Lammertink (Transvemij-Van Schilt) @ 3hr 46min 39sec
128. Stefano Allocchio (Supermercati Brianzoli) @ 3hr 47min 14sec
129. Enrico Grimani (Magniflex) @ 3hr 50min 2sec
130. José-Maria Palacin (Zahor Chocolates) @ 4hr 2min 31sec
131. Johan Capiot (Roland-Skala) @ 4hr 4min 3sec
132. Jan Bogaert (Transvemij-Van Schilt) @ 4hr 17min 39sec
133. Dante Morandi (Atala-Ofmega) @ 4hr 25min 33sec

Points Competition:

1. Johan Van der Velde (Gis Gelati-Jolly Scarpe): 175 points
2. Paolo Rosola (Gewiss-Bianchi): 171
3. Stephen Roche (Carrera): 153
4. Erik Breukink (Panasonic): 144
5. Marino Lejarreta (Caja Rural): 110

Climbers' Competition:

1. Robert Millar (Panasonic): 97 points
2. Jean-Claude Bagot (Fagor): 53
3. Johan Van der Velde (Gis Gelati-Jolly Scarpe): 32
4. Roberto Pagnin (Gewiss-Bianchi)
5. Marino Lejarreta (Caja Rural): 26

Young Rider:

1. Roberto Conti (Selca-Thermomec): 106hr 0min 33sec
2. Jiri Skoda (Ecoflam-BFB) @ 5min 48sec
3. Rodolfo Massi (Magniflex) @ 14min 22sec
4. Andreas Kappes (Toshiba) @ 16min 29sec
5. Stefano Tomasini (Remac-Fanini) @ 20min 59sec

Team Classification:

1. Panasonic: 313hr 6min 14sec
2. Carrera @ 9min 3sec
3. Gis Gelati-Jolly Scarpe @ 21min 25sec

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1987 Giro stage results with running GC:

Thursday, May 21: Prologue, San Remo 4 km individual time trial (cronometro)

1. Roberto Visentini: 4min 56sec
2. Steve Bauer s.t.
3. Czeslaw Lang @ 2sec
4. Guido Bontempi @ 3sec
5. Lech Piasecki s.t.
6. Tony Rominger s.t.
7. Marco Saligari s.t.
8. Daniel Wyder @ 5sec
9. Stephen Roche s.t.
10. Giuseppe Saronni s.t.

Friday, May 22: Stage 1A, San Remo - San Romolo, 31 km

Major ascent: San Romolo

1. Erik Breukink: 51min 9sec
2. Phil Anderson @ 16sec
3. Robert Millar @ 19sec
4. Stephen Roche s.t.
5. Peter Winnen s.t.
6. Marino Lejarreta s.t.
7. Rony Rominger s.t.
8. Giambattista Baronchelli s.t.
9. Roberto Visentini s.t.
10. Jiri Skoda s.t.

GC after Stage 1A

1. Erik Breukink

Friday, May 22: Stage 1B, Timed Poggio descent (cronodiscesa del Poggio), 8 km

1. Stephen Roche: 10min 19sec
2. Lech Piasecki @ 3sec
3. Erik Breukink @ 6sec
4. Tony Rominger @ 7sec
5. Roberto Visentini s.t.
6. Urs Freuler @ 9sec
7. Phil Anderson @ 11sec
8. Guido Bontempi @ 12sec
9. Roberto Pagnin s.t.
10. Paul Popp @ 14sec

GC after Stage 1B:

1. Erik Breukink: 1hr 6min 22sec
2. Stephen Roche @ 14sec
3. Lech Piasecki @ 21sec
4. Roberto Visentini @ 29sec
5. Tony Rominger, Phil Anderson @ 30sec
7. Steve Bauer, Robert Pagnin @ 41sec
8. Moreno Argentin @ 45sec
9. Dag-Erik Pedersen @ 49sec

Saturday, May 23: Stage 2, Imperia - Borgo Val di Taro, 242 km

Major ascent: Blocco

1. Moreno Argentin: 5hr 12min 35sec
2. Benny Van Brabant s.t.
3. Luciano Boffo s.t.
4. Maurizio Fondriest s.t.
5. Johan Van der Velde s.t.
6. Paul Popp s.t.
7. Pierino Gavazzi s.t.
8. Angelo Canzonieri s.t.
9. Giuseppe Saronni s.t.
10. Roberto Pagnin s.t.

GC after Stage 2:

1. Erik Breukink: 7hr 18min 57sec
2. Stephen Roche @ 14sec
3. Lech Piasecki @ 21sec
4. Moreno Argentin @ 26sec
5. Roberto Visentini @ 29sec
6. Phil Anderson, Tony Rominger @ 30sec
8. Steve Bauer, Roberto Pagnin @ 41sec
10. Dag-Erik Pedersen @ 49sec

Sunday, May 24: Stage 3, Lerici - Camaiore Lido 43 km team time trial (cronometro a squadre)

1. Carrera (Leali, Rossignoli, Visentini, Schepers, Roche, Ghirotto, Bontempi, Cassani, Chiappucci) @ 47min 22sec
2. Del Tongo @ 54sec
3. Magniflex @ 1min 4sec
4. Panasonic @ 1min 7sec
5. Atala-Ofmega @ 1min 24sec
6. Gewiss-Bianchi @ 1min 15sec
7. Toshiba @ 1min 34sec
8. Chateau d'Ax @ 1min 43sec
9. Gis Gelati-Jolly Scarpe s.t.
10. Ariostea @ 2min 4sec

GC after Stage 3:

1. Stephen Roche: 8hr 6min 33sec
2. Roberto Visentini @ 15sec
3. Davide Cassani @ 52sec
4. Erik Breukink @ 53sec
5. Lech Piasecki @ 1mn 1sec
6. Bruno Leali @ 1min 19sec
7. Phil Anderson @ 1min 23sec
8. Moreno Argentin @ 1min 27sec
9. Roberto Pagnin @ 1min 42sec
10. Claudio Chiappucci @ 1min 52sec

Monday, May 25: Stage 4, Camaiore - Montalcino, 203 km

Major ascent: Volterra

1. Moreno Argentin: 5hr 13min 55sec
2. Flavio Giupponi 2 2sec
3. Stephen Roche 2 3sec
4. Claudio Savini @ 8sec
5. Juan Fernandez s.t.
6. Phil Anderson s.t.
7. Tomas Martinez s.t.
8. Jiri Skoda s.t.
9. Erik Breukink @ 10sec
10. Stefano Colagè s.t.

GC after Stage 4:

1. Stephen Roche: 13hr 20min 21sec
2. Roberto Visentini @ 32sec
3. Davide Cadani @ 1min 9sec
4. Erik Breukink @ 1min 10sec
5. Moreno Argenitin @ 1min 14sec
6. Bruno Leali @ 1min 36sec
7. Phil Anderson, Lech Piasecki @ 1min 38sec
9. Flavio Giupponi @ 2min 14sec
10. Claudio Chiappucci @ 2min 19sec

Tuesday, May 26: Stage 5, Montalcino - Terni, 203 km

1. Eddy Planckaert: 5hr 15min 17sec
2. Paolo Rosola s.t.
3. Luciano Boffo s.t.
4. Giovanni Mantovani s.t.
5. Adriano Baffi s.t.
6. Flavio Chesini s.t.
7. Silvano Riccò s.t.
8. Mauro Longo s.t.
9. Milan Jurco s.t.
10. Benny Van Brabant s.t.

GC after Stage 5:

1. Stephen Roche: 18hr 35min 38sec
2. Roberto Visentini @ 32sec
3. Davide Cassani @ 2min 9sec
4. Erik Breukink @ 1min 10sec
5. Moreno Argentin @ 1min 14sec
6. Lech Piasecki @ 1min 26sec
7. Bruno Leali @ 1min 36sec
8. Phil Anderson @ 1min 38sec
9. Flavio Giupponi, Claudio Chiappucci @ 2min 14sec

Wednesday, May 27: Stage 6, Terni - Terminillo, 134 km

Major ascents: Forca dell'Arone, Leonessa, Terminillo

1. Jean-Claude Bagot: 3hr 52min 16sec
2. Eddy Schepers s.t.
3. Roberto Pagnin @ 12sec
4. Jokin Mujika @ 1min 1sec
5. Erik Breukink @ 1min 9sec
6. Tony Rominger s.t.
7. Marino Lejarreta s.t.
8. Robert Millar s.t.
9. Stephen Roche s.t.
10. Pedro Muñoz s.t.

GC after Stage 6:

1. Stephen Roche: 22hr 29min 3sec
2. Roberto Visentini @ 32sec
3. Erik Breukink @ 1min 10sec
4. Roberto Pagnin @ 1min 22sec
5. FLavio Giupponi 2 2min 14sec
6. Davide Cassani @ 2min 17sec
7. Robert Millar @ 2min 18sec
8. Tony Rominger @ 2min 21sec
9. Phil Anderson @ 2min 30sec
10. Edy Schepers @ 2min 33sec

Thursday, May 28: Stage 7, Rieti - Roccaraso, 205 km

Major ascents: Caruso, Cinque Miglia

1. Moreno Argentin: 5hr 28min 22sec
2. Franco Chioccioli s.t.
3. Johan Van der Velde @ 4sec
4. Giuseppe Saronni s.t.
5. Roberto Pagnin s.t.
6. Benny Van Brabant s.t.
7. Phil Andereson s.t.
8. Stefano Colagè
9. Jiri Skoda s.t.
10. Marco Vitali s.t.

GC after Stage 7:

1. Stephen Roche: 27hr 57min 29sec
2. Roberto Visentini @ 32sec
3. Erik Breukink @ 1min 10sec
4. Roberto Pagnin @ 1min 22sec
5. Flavio Giupponi @ 2min 14sec
6. Davide Cassani @ 2min 17sec
7. Robert Millar @ 2min 18sec
8. Tony Rominger @ 2min 21sec
9. Phil Anderson @ 2min 30sec
10. Eddy Schepers @ 2min 35sec

Friday, May 29: Stage 8, Roccaraso - San Giorgio del Sannio, 168 km

Major ascent: Calvario

1. Paolo Rosola: 3hr 45min 40sec
2. Guido Bontempi s.t.
3. Stefano Allocchio s.t.
4. Adriano Baffi s.t.
5. Luciano Boffo s.t.
6. Stefano Colagè s.t.
7. Franco Chioccioli s.t.
8. Johan Van der Velde s.t.
9. Paul Popp s.t.
10. Benny Van Brabant s.t.

GC after Stage 8:

1. Stephen Roche: 31hr 43min 9sec
2. Roberto Visentini @ 32sec
3. Erik Breukink @ 1min 10sec
4. Roberto Pagnin @ 1min 22sec
5. Flavio Giupponi @ 2min 14sec
6. Davide Cassani @ 2min 17sec
7. Robert Millar @ 2min 18sec
8. Tony Rominger @ 2min 21sec
9. Phil Anderson @ 2min 30sec
10. Eddy Schepers @ 2min 35sec

Saturday, May 30: Stage 9, San Giorgio del Sannio - Bari, 257 km

1. Urs Freuler: 7hr 9min 40sec
2. Paolo Rosola s.t.
3. Johan Van der Velde s.t.
4. Mathieu Hermans s.t.
5. Guido Bontempi s.t.
6. Alessio Di Basco s.t.
7. Stefano Colagè s.t.
8. Eddy Planckaert s.t.
9. Flavio Chesini s.t.
10. Stefano Allocchio s.t.

GC after Stage 9:

1. Stephen Roche: 38hr 52min 49sec
2. Roberto Visentini @ 32sec
3. Erik Breukink @ 1min 10sec
4. Roberto Pagnin @ 1min 22sec
5. Flavio Giupponi @ 2min 14sec
6. Davide Cassini 2 2min 17sec
7. Robert Millar @ 2min 18sec
8. Tony Rominger @ 2min 21sec
9. Phil Anderson @ 2min 30sec
10. Eddy Schepers @ 2min 35sec

Sunday, May 31: Stage 10, Bari - Termoli, 210 km

1. Paolo Rosola: 5hr 37min 8sec
2. Urs Freuler s.t.
3. Luciano Boffo s.t.
4. Pierino Gavazzi s.t.
5. Johan Capiot s.t.
6. Palmiro Masciarelli s.t.
7. Johan Van der Velde s.t.
8. Dietrich Thurau s.t.
9. Milan Jurco s.t.
10. Alessio Di Basco s.t.

GC after Stage 10:

1. Sephen Roche: 44hr 29min 57sec
2. Roberto Visentini @ 32sec
3. Erik Breukink @ 1mn 10sec
4. Roberto Pagnin @ 1min 22sec
5. Flavio Giupponi @ 2min 14sec
6. Davide Cassani @ 2min 17sec
7. Robert Millar @ 2min 18sec
8. Tony Rominger @ 2min 21sec
9. Phil Anderson @ 2min 30sec
10. Eddy Schepers @ 2min 35sec

Monday, June 1: Rest Day (giorno di riposo). One source has the rest day on May 31

Tuesday, June 2: Stage 11, Giulianova - Osimo, 245 km

Major ascents: Croce de Casale, Satto Tetto

1. Robert Forest: 6hr 44min 12sec
2. Romano Randi @ 12sec
3. Lars Wahlqvist @ 20sec
4. Alberto Elli @ 30sec
5. Rodolfo Massi s.t.
6. Emanuele Bombini @ 34sec
7. Pascal Jules @ 45sec
8. Gerhard Zadrobilek @ 47sec
9. Moreno Argentin s.t.
10. Marino Lejarreta s.t.

GC after Stage 11:

1. Stephen Roche: 51hr 15min 6sec
2. Roberto Visentini @ 25sec
3. Erik Breukink @ 35sec
4. Roberto Pagnin @ 1min 43sec
5. Robert Millar @ 2min 18sec
6. Tony Rominger, Flavio Giupponi @ 2min 21sec
8. Phil Anderson @ 2min 37sec
9. Davide Cassani @ 2min 52sec
10. Peter Winnen @ 2min 58sec

Wednesday, June 3: Stage 12, Osimo - Igea Marina, 197 km

1. Guido Bontempi: 4hr 54min 20sec
2. Adriano Baffi s.t.
3. Paolo Rosola s.t.
4. Flavio Chesini s.t.
5. Urs Freuler s.t.
6. Eddy Planckaert s.t.
7. Silvano Riccò s.t.
8. Stefano Allocchio s.t.
9. Christian Chaubet s.t.
10. Johan Van der Velde s.t.

GC after Stage 12:

1. Stephen Roche: 56hr 9min 25sec
2. Roberto Visentini @ 25sec
3. Erik Breukink @ 1min 35sec
4. Robert Pagnin @ 1min 43sec
5. Robert Millar @ 2min 18sec
6. Tony Rominger, Flavio Giupponi @ 2min 21sec
8. Phil Anderson @ 2min 37sec
9. Davide Cassani @ 2min 52sec
10. Peter Winnen @ 2min 58sec

Thursday, June 4: Stage 13, Rimini - San Marino 46 km individual time trial (cronometro)

Major ascent: San Marino

1. Roberto Visentini: 1hr 11min 39sec
2. Tony Rominger @ 1min 11sec
3. Lech Piasecki @ 1min 20sec
4. Jean-François Bernard @ 1min 32sec
5. Marino Lejarreta @ 1min 55sec
6. Erik Breukink @ 2min 0sec
7. Maurizio Fondriest @ 2min 13sec
8. Dietrich Thurau @ 2min 27sec
9. Jiri Skoda @ 2min 29sec
10. Jokin Mujika @ 2min 41sec
11. Robert Millar @ 2min 42sec
12. Stephen Roche @ 2min 47sec

GC after Stage 13:

1. Roberto Visentini: 57hr 21min 9sec
2. Stephen Roche @ 2min 42sec
3. Tony Rominger @ 3min 12sec
4. Erik Breukink @ 3min 30sec
5. Robert Millar @ 4min 55sec
6. Flavio Giupponi @ 5min 37sec
7. Marino Lejarreta @ 5min 59sec
8. Phil Anderson @ 6min 17sec
9. Emanuele Bombini @ 6min 29sec
10. Roberto Pagnin @ 6min 45sec

Friday, June 5: Stage 14, San Marino - Lido di Jesolo, 269 km

1. Paolo Cimini: 6hr 54min 30sec
2. Paolo Rosola s.t.
3. Paul Popp s.t.
4. Johan Capiot s.t.
5. Luciano Boffo s.t.
6. Silvano Riccò s.t.
7. Guido Bontempi s.t.
8. Alessio Di Basco s.t.
9. Peter Pieters s.t.
10. Stefano Zanatta s.t.

GC after Stage 14:

1. Roberto Visentini: 64hr 15min 39sec
2. Stephen Roche @ 2min 42sec
3. Tony Rominger @ 3min 12sec
4. Erik Breukink @ 3min 30sec
5. Robert Millar @ 4min 55sec
6. Flavio Giupponi @ 5min 37sec
7. Marino Lejarreta @ 5min 59sec
8. Phil Anderson @ 6min 17sec
9. Emanuele Bombini @ 6min 29sec
10. Roberto Pagnin @ 6min 45sec

Saturday, June 6: Stage 15, Lido di Jesolo - Sappada, 225 km

Major ascents: Monte Rest, Valcalda, Cima Sappada

1. Johan Van der Velde: 6hr 17min 46sec
2. Tony Rominger @ 46sec
3. Flavio Giupponi s.t.
4. Robert Millar s.t.
5. Erik Breukink s.t.
6. Marino Lejarreta s.t.
7. Pedro Muñoz s.t.
8. Steve Bauer @ 56sec
9. Roberto Conti s.t.
10. Moreno Argentin s.t.
11. Mario Beccia s.t.
12. Stephen Roche s.t.
58. Roberto Visentini @ 6min 50sec

GC after Stage 15:

1. Stephen Roche: 70hr 37min 3sec
2. Rony Rominger @ 5sec
3. Erik Breukink @ 38sec
4. Robert Millar @ 1min 58sec
5. Flavio Giupponi @ 2min 36sec
6. Marino Lejarreta @ 3min 7sec
7. Roberto Visentini @ 3min 12sec
8. Phil Anderson @ 4min 4sec
9. Moreno Argentin @ 4min 14sec
10. Steve Bauer @ 4min 37sec

Sunday, June 7: Stage 16, Sappada - Canazei, 214 km

Major ascents: Croce Comelico, Gardena, Sella, Pordoi, Marmolada

1. Johan Van der Velde: 6hr 16min 28sec
2. Moreno Argentin @ 2min 20sec
3. Erik Breukink s.t.
4. Stephen Roche s.t.
5. Marino Lejarreta s.t.
6. Alberto Volpi s.t.
7. Jokin Mujika s.t.
8. Roberto Visentini s.t.
9. Pedro Muñoz s.t.
10. Flavio Giupponi s.t.
11. Robert Millar s.t.

GC after Stage 16:

1. Stephen Roche: 76hr 55min 46sec
2. Erik Breukink @ 33sec
3. Tony Rominger @ 1min 17sec
4. Robert Millar @ 2min 3sec
5. Flavio Giupponi @ 2min 40sec
6. Marino Lejarreta @ 3min 12sec
7. Roberto Visentini @ 3min 19sec
8. Moreno Argentin, Johan Van der Velde @ 4min 4sec
10. Jokin Mujika @ 5min 5sec

Monday, June 8: Stage 17, Canazei - Riva del Garda, 206 km

Major ascents: San Pellegrino, Valles, Monte Bondone

1. Marco Vitali: 5hr 42min 32sec
2. Alessandro Paganessi s.t.
3. Marco Giovannetti s.t.
4. Benny Van Brabant @ 4min 43sec
5. Christian Jourdan @ 7min 5sec
6. Urs Freuler @ 8min 37sec
7. Johan Van der Velde s.t.
8. Marino Lejarreta s.t.
9. Stephen Roche s.t.
10. Jokin Mujika s.t.

GC after Stage 17:

1. Stephen Roche: 82hr 47min 10sec
2. Erik Breukink @ 33sec
3. Robert Millar @ 2min 8sec
4. Flavio Giupponi @ 2min45sec
5. Marco Giovannetti @ 3min 8sec
6. Marino Lejarreta @ 3min 12sec
7. Roberto Visentini @ 3min 24sec
8. Tony Rominger @ 3min 33sec
9. Johan Van der Velde @ 4min 29sec
10. Jokin Mujika @ 5min 10sec

Tuesday, June 9: Stage 18: Riva del Garda - Trescore Balneario, 213 km

1. Giuseppe Calcaterra: 6hr 1min 47sec
2. Paolo Rosola s.t.
3. Johan Van der Velde s.t.
4. Alessio Di Basco s.t.
5. Silvano Riccò s.t.
6. Eddy Planckaert s.t.
7. Dante Morandi s.t.
8. Adriano Baffi s.t.
9. Phil Anderson s.t.
10. Johan Capiot s.t.

GC after Stage 18:

1. Stephen Roche: 88hr 48min 57sec
2. Erik Breukink @ 33sec
3. Robert Millar @ 2min 8sec
4. Flavio Giupponi @ 2min 45sec
5. Marco Giovannetti @ 3min 8sec
6. Marino Lejarreta @ 3min 12sec
7. Roberto Visentini @ 3min 24sec
8. Tony Rominger @ 3min 33sec
9. Johan Van der Velde @ 4min 19sec
10. Peter Winnen @ 5min 48sec

Wednesday, June 10: Stage 19, Trescore Balneario - Madesimo, 160 km

Major ascents: San Marco, Madesimo

1. Jean-François Bernard: 4hr 58min 20sec
2. Robert Millar @ 1min 14sec
3. Marino Lejarreta @ 1min 18sec
4. Johan Van der Velde @ 1min 32sec
5. Erik Breukink s.r.
6. Eddy Schepers s.t.
7. Stephen Roche s.t.
8. Roberto Visentini s.t.
9. Pedro Muñoz s.t.
10. Flavio Giupponi @ 1min 50sec

GC after Stage 19:

1. Stephen Roche: 93hr 48min 49sec
2. Erik Breukink @ 33sec
3. Robert Millar @ 1min 35sec
4. Marino Lejarreta @ 4min 46sec
5. Flavio Giupponi @ 3min 3sec
6. Roberto Visentini @ 3min 24sec
7. Johan Van der Velde @ 4min 14sec
8. Marco Giovannetti @ 4min 36sec
9. Peter Winnen @ 6min 6sec
10. Phil Anderson @ 7min 1sec

Thursday, June 11: Stage 20, Madesimo - Como, 156 km

1. Paolo Rosola: 3hr 45min 1sec
2. Alberto Volpi s.t.
3. Eddy Planckaert s.t.
4. Johan Van der Velde s.t.
5. Frano Chioccioli s.t.
6. Alessio Di Basco s.t.
7. Flavio Chesini s.t.
8. Luciano Boffo s.t.
9. Phil Anderson s.t.
10. Paolo Cimini s.t.

GC after Stage 20:

1. Stephen Roche: 97hr 33min 50sec
2. Erik Breukink @ 33sec
3. Robert Millar @ 1min 35sec
4. Marino Lejarreta @ 2min 46sec
5. Flavio Giupponi @ 3min 3sec
6. Roberto Visentini @ 3min 24sec
7. Johan Van der Velde @ 4min 9sec
8. Marco Giovannetti @ 4min 36sec
9. Peter Winnen @ 6mn 6sec
10. Phil Anderson @ 6min 53sec

Friday, June 12: Stage 21, Como - Pila, 248 km

Major ascents: Serra, Joux, Pila

1. Robert Millar: 7hr 22min 1sec
2. Stephen Roche @ 3sec
3. Marino Lejarreta @ 7sec
4. FLavio Giupponi @ 2min 3sec
5. Erik Breukink @ 2min 9sec
6. Eddy Schepers @ 2min 21sec
7. Claudio Savini @ 2min 59sec
8. Maurizio Vandelli s.t.
9. Alessandro Pozzi s.t.
10. Jokin Mujika s.t.

GC after Stage 21:

1. Stephen Roche: 104hr 35min 39sec
2. Robert Millar @ 1min 27sec
3. Erik Breukink @ 2min 54sec
4. Marino Lejarreta @ 2min 55sec
5. Flavio Giupponi @ 5min 13sec
6. Marco Giovannetti @ 8min 0sec
7. Peter Winnen @ 9min 40sec
8. Roberto Visentini @ 9min 59sec
9. Phil Anderson @ 10min 11sec
10. Johan Van der Velde @ 10min 30sec

Saturday, June 13: 22nd and final stage, Aosta - St. Vincent 32 km individual time trial (cronometro)

1. Stephen Roche: 44min 29sec
2. Dietrich Thurau @ 14sec
3. Milan Jurco @ 45sec
4. Lech Piasecki @ 59sec
5. Erik Breukink 2 1min 3sec
6. Czeslaw Lang @ 1min 16sec
7. Steve Bauer @ 1min 29sec
8. Urs Freuler s.t.
9. Jean-François Bernard @ 1min 33sec
10. Robert Millar @ 1min 53sec
11. Marino Lejarreta @ 1min 56sec
12. Flavio Giupponi @ 2min 9sec

1986 Giro d'Italia Complete Final General Classification

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The Story of the 1987 Giro d'Italia

This excerpt is from "The Story of the Giro d'Italia", Volume 2. If you enjoy it we hope you will consider purchasing the book, either print, eBook or audiobook. The Amazon link here will make the purchase easy.

Before the 1987 Giro started it was thought that this edition was going to be a battle between Roberto Visentini and Giambattista Baronchelli. This Giro was in fact contested by Visentini, the 1986 Giro champion, and Stephen Roche, both members of Boifava’s Carrera team. It is strange that such a vicious intra-team rivalry was allowed to occur just after the 1985–1986 La Vie Claire bloodletting between Greg LeMond and Bernard Hinault that made those Tours de France such soap operas.

Roche had suffered his ups and downs. In 1981, not long after winning Paris–Nice, a blood disorder stalled his career. As he was starting to hit his stride, he crashed in the 1985 Paris Six-Day, badly injuring his knee. His 1986 was forgettable (probably not to the people paying his salary), prompting him to have knee surgery. The repaired Stephen Roche was a new man. In early 1987 he showed good form with firsts in the Tours of Valencia and Romandie and seconds in Liège–Bastogne–Liège and the Critérium International.

Visentini was the returning Giro champion but had attained no notable successes that spring. Writer Beppe Conti observed that the two riders were much alike, terrific in time trials and on the climbs and both difficult to manage. Roche in particular didn’t get along with his directors and he didn’t get along with Visentini. Visentini reciprocated the Irishman’s dislike.

The official line from the team was that Carrera had two leaders and that team support would go to the rider most worthy of help. As far as Visentini was concerned, the team had only one leader and that was Roberto. Roche was resentful of what he saw as a loaded deck of cards. He was supposed to be available to support Visentini, but during that spring, Visentini had never turned a pedal to help Roche. Roche felt this arrangement was unfair because he was riding wonderfully well, bringing in high-value wins and placings for Carrera while Visentini so far had nothing to show for the season.

Visentini argued that Roche was focusing on the Tour and that he would be happy to help Roche win in France in July. But…Visentini had already booked a July vacation and Roche knew it. Roche had no plans to sacrifice his own chances to help a man who refused to reciprocate. Furthermore, Visentini hated riding the Tour.

The air was poisonous even before the race began. Visentini let it be known that if necessary to win the Giro, he would attack Roche. Now let’s be fair. Visentini was the reigning Giro champion returning to defend his title and fully expected to have a unified team help him. He certainly had every right to that expectation. The failing was Carrera’s in creating this dilemma.

Roche was almost completely isolated on the team, having his dedicated Belgian friend and gregario Eddy Schepers and mechanic Patrick Valcke as his only trustworthy support.

Visentini drew the first blood by winning the 4-kilometer prologue in San Remo. The next day Erik Breukink won the 31-kilometer half-stage, a ride from San Remo up to San Romolo, beating the pack by 19 seconds. Breukink was now in pink. That afternoon Roche won the 8-kilometer downhill San Remo time trial, beating Breukink by 6 seconds and Visentini by 7. Breukink remained the leader with a 14-second lead over Roche.

The Giro headed south via the Ligurian coast. At Lido di Camaiore, the Carrera team showed that they had the most horsepower when they won the 43-kilometer team time trial, beating second-place Del Tongo by 54 seconds. Baronchelli crashed near the end of the event, finishing well after his team, putting him out of contention.

After stage three the General Classification stood thus:
1. Stephen Roche
2. Roberto Visentini @ 15 seconds
3. Davide Cassani @ 52 seconds
4. Erik Breukink @ 53 seconds

The race continued its southward march with Roche in the lead. According to Roche, rather than acting as a loyal teammate, Visentini just rode on Roche’s wheel, highlighting the adversarial relationship. In the rush to Montalcino in Tuscany, the Irishman was able to pad his lead a little, to 32 seconds.

Stephen Roche in pink

By stage nine, the race had reached its southernmost point, Bari, and still it was Roche in the lead with Visentini at 32 seconds. Scottish climbing ace Robert Millar, riding for Panasonic, with Breukink and Phil Anderson for teammates, had been first over the majority of the rated climbs, earning him the green climber's jersey.

In three leaps the race made it to Rimini on the Adriatic coast for the first big event in the drama, an individual time trial up Monte Titano to San Marino. Visentini won the 46-kilometer event and took the lead. Roche’s ride was dreadful. Blaming race jitters and a crash three days before, he came in twelfth, losing 2 minutes 47 seconds.

The new General Classification:
1. Roberto Visentini
2. Stephen Roche @ 2 minutes 42 seconds
3. Tony Rominger @ 3 minutes 12 seconds
4. Erik Breukink @ 3 minutes 30 seconds
5. Robert Millar @ 4 minutes 55 seconds

At this point everyone except Roche and Eddy Schepers thought the Carrera family fight, if not the Giro itself, was over. Visentini again announced that he would work for Roche in the Tour de France.

Roche, an intensely driven man, was burning with indignation and ambition and with Schepers he planned his revolt. They picked stage fifteen to put their plan into action, the first mountain stage with its three major ascents: Monte Rest, Sella Valcalda and a finish at the top of the Cima Sappada.

The story of the Sappada stage is one of the most famous in the modern history of the Giro. An aggressive descent of Monte Rest allowed Roche to separate himself from the pack, taking along Ennio Salvador and Jean-Claude Bagot (whose loyalty had been purchased earlier when Schepers helped him win a stage). Boifava knew immediately what Roche was up to and was having none of it. He drove alongside the fleeing Irishman and told him to stop the attack. Roche refused, telling Boifava that if the other teams didn’t mount a chase, he would win the stage by ten minutes and Carrera would win the Giro. Boifava was unmoved and ordered the Carrera team to bridge up to Roche. The Carrera squad buried itself working to close the gap and Visentini, a high-strung rider, seemed to be having an off-day and suffered badly during the pursuit.

The team chased like fiends, and finally, exhausted, they dropped out of the chase while Roche kept his escape going, leaving Visentini alone to try to salvage his jersey. Eventually a small group caught Roche, but Visentini was not among them. Phil Anderson and Jean-François Bernard were among those who did make the connection, then unsuccessfully tried to get away.

Johan Van der Velde won the stage with Roche in the second chase group, 46 seconds behind. A broken Visentini came in 58th, 6 minutes 50 seconds after Van der Velde. Roche now had a slender 5-second lead over neo-pro Tony Rominger while Visentini was sitting in seventh place, 3 minutes 12 seconds down.

All Italy erupted with fury. The Italian papers blared what they believed was Roche’s betrayal of a teammate who was in pink and who had deserved the unstinting support of all members of the Carrera team. Moreover, Roche had been insubordinate. He had been given a direct order by his director to stop the break and Roche had refused. Carrera management was furious and threatened to keep Roche out of the Tour if he insisted upon winning the Giro. That evening team director Boifava, beside himself with anger over Roche’s buccaneering, reminded Roche that before the stage, Carrera had a five-minute lead on Rominger, now they had only five seconds.

Visentini told the papers that someone (meaning Roche) was going home that evening and Boifava ordered Roche not to speak to the press. Roche ignored the command, feeling that if he didn’t speak, no one else would present his case.

Roche’s taking the Pink Jersey so enraged the tifosi that Roche was given police protection. He even went on television to plead for sanity. He later wrote that he was frightened as the fans spit on him and even hit him. Because of the inflamed passions, that day after the Sappada stage is called the “Marmolada Massacre”. It had five big climbs, the final one being the Marmolada, also called the Passo Fedaia. Visentini tried to get away, but Roche marked his every move. While Roche was obviously protecting his lead, another day of what appeared to the Italians of riding against his teammate cost Roche dearly in the eyes of the Italian fans. Second place Rominger lost time that day, but there was no other serious change to the standings.

On the big climbs that followed the Sappada stage, Millar stayed with Roche, riding at his side to protect him from assault while Eddy Schepers did the same. Visentini tried to make Schepers crash, even boasting about his attempted mayhem. The feelings on both sides were raw.

Stage seventeen was the last day in the Dolomites and again, the situation was unchanged. Heading to the Alps and the final time trial, the General Classification stood thus:
1. Stephen Roche
2. Erik Breukink @ 33 seconds
3. Robert Millar @ 2 minutes 8 seconds
4. Flavio Giupponi @ 2 minutes 45 seconds
5. Marco Giovannetti @ 3 minutes 8 seconds
6. Marino Lejarreta @ 3 minutes 12 seconds
7. Roberto Visentini @ 3 minutes 24 seconds

During this Carrera family fight, Torriani and the Giro management were reasonably impartial. Roche said the Giro boss whispered encouragement to him when they would meet. In any case, the incredible drama was selling papers and riveting everyone’s attention to his race. Torriani probably couldn’t believe his good fortune.

The equilibrium remained over the Alpine climbs of stage nineteen and Roche’s slim lead held. It was the twenty-first stage to Pila that Roche showed he was deserving of the maglia rosa when he, Robert Millar and Marino Lejarreta broke clear and arrived in Pila over two minutes ahead of the first group of chasers. This moved Millar into second place. Visentini, suffering a terrible loss of morale, lost another six minutes.

The 1987 Giro ended with a 32-kilometer time trial. Visentini didn’t start, having broken his wrist in a fall in the penultimate stage. Roche won it, cementing his ownership of the lead. While his Carrera team had been deeply divided, especially after Roche's attack on the Sappada stage, the squad slowly came around to the fact that he would probably win the Giro and therefore yield a good payday for all of them. Roche says that in the final stages he had plenty of support from the team.

But he didn’t get it from the tifosi. To this day the Italians speak bitterly of Roche’s betrayal of Visentini.

Roche wins the 1987 Giro d'Italia

Final 1987 Giro d’Italia General Classification:
1. Stephen Roche (Carrera) 105 hours 39 minutes 40 seconds
2. Robert Millar (Panasonic) @ 3 minutes 40 seconds
3. Erik Breukink (Panasonic) @ 4 minutes 17 seconds
4. Marino Lejarreta (Orbea-Caja Rural) @ 5 minutes 11 seconds
5. Flavio Giupponi (Del Tongo-Colnago) @ 7 minutes 42 seconds

Climbers’ Competition
1. Robert Millar: (Panasonic) 97 points
2. Jean-Claude Bagot (Fagor): 53
3. Johan Van der Velde (Gis Gelati): 32

Points Competition:
1. Johan Van der Velde (Gis Gelati): 175 points
2. Paolo Rosola (Gewiss-Bianchi): 171
3. Stephen Roche (Carrera): 153

Visentini began his racing career by going from one triumph to another, including being Amateur Italian Road Champion and Amateur World Time Trial Champion, his promise being fulfilled with his 1986 Giro win. After the Sappada stage he never again won an important race. He retired to run the family funeral home in 1990 and has had little contact with the cycling world ever since.

Roche, on the other hand, had a brilliant 1987. For all of his trouble with Carrera, Roche, with grudging and equivocal support from his team, was the leader of their Tour de France contingent and raced to a brilliant win. He capped the Giro/Tour double with victory at the World Championships. He joined Merckx as the second rider in cycling history to win the Giro, Tour and World Championship in the same year.

Early the next year he re-injured his knee and from that point he was never a contender for overall victory in Grand Tours. He won several important shorter stage races before retiring in 1993.

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