The escape that fooled the group in the Milan stage of the Giro he turned it back on the debate on the dynamics between attackers and pursuersOn the one hand, there were immediate controversies regarding the management of the chase and the possible role of motorcycles in the running. On the other hand there is still the merit of those who believed in it is undeniable, he held on and finally managed to resist until the finish line.
To understand what has changed in modern cycling and why breakaways sometimes have a greater chance of success today, we talked with Mario Scirea, historical key man of Mario Cipollini's "red train".
Mario, what do you think of the Milan stage?
I saw the last few kilometers, not all of it, but I followed the finale. I would start by saying that cycling has changed a lot in recent years., even in the way teams are built for the Grand Tours. Today almost all teams have a classification man and sprinters have fewer companionsavailable to manage these situations, both throughout the stage and in the finale. We often see sprinters with only one or two men available, but so at current speeds it becomes difficult to control the ride and organize an effective pursuit.
So the problem was mainly tactical?
In my opinion they managed the timing badly. The controversies over the final circuit also had an impact, when the group slowed down and instead the breakaway in front continued to push. It must be considered that in a circuit It's easier for attackers to defend, there are lots of curves and constant throwsIt's not like chasing on straight roads. This is why the peloton should arrive at the circuit entrance very close to the escapees.
Did motorcycles really have that much of an impact?
There was a lot of talk about it because the breakaway reached the finish line, but Often the group also benefits from the presence of the motorcycles and speeding cars. What we saw in Milan happens once in a hundred years, so I wouldn't point the finger at that aspect. The group almost always has the TV motorbike in front of them, as well as having many more teams that can collaborate. On the run, however, the motorbike is very often behind or sideways.
So was the controversy excessive?
Yes, I think they were quite fruitless. I understand that losing a stage like that isn't easy for the group and the sprinters to accept. However, We must not forget that those who were in front deserved it, otherwise we would be unfair.The breakaway riders rode well, thanks above all to the excellent work of Polti. Rather, if we look at the sprinters' teams, I think that an extra rider alongside Milan would have been useful.
Was it different in your day?
When Ivan Gotti won the Giro in 1997, we were still riding for CipolliniIt's true that back then the teams were made up of nine riders instead of eight, but our way of racing didn't change. Because we knew that Mario brought four or five victories, so it was essential for the team to work for him.
Have you ever mistimed a chase?
Surely, it's happened more than once in ten years. But never in major races. We were always trying to calculate how much margin to give to the escape, although it is never an exact science. The difference perhaps is that we knew we could count on four or five well-organized men., so we almost always managed to make up a minute every ten kilometers, more or less. Today, it seems, it's not always that simple.
Could the evolution of nutrition have aided escapes?
The changes of recent years it was present in everything, from technical means to clothing to foodEvery aspect is now tailored and studied in detail. This has meant that averages are higher than they are today. But in the end, in my opinion, it makes no difference between someone who is in a group or a breakaway., it balances out. In the end, it's an improvement that affects everyone and therefore tends to balance itself out.
You were considered the director of the train. How does communication work in hectic moments? Are you able to talk to each other or is it more of a visual thing?
In the last five kilometers there is no time to talk, then the radios didn't always work well so you also had to be able to seize the momentIt was all based on the sensitivity and experience of the riders. I was the second-to-last man, I ran from the last kilometer to about 500 meters from the finish, then the last teammate took over and launched Cipollini. But it doesn't always happen that way. I remember once at the Tour de France I found myself pulling from 4 kilometers to 700 meters because we were left with few men. In those cases experience and the ability to manage effort count, keep a high but not excessive pace.
Have you ever found yourself on the other side of the fence, on the run instead of in the group?
Yes, it always happened to me at the Giro and always in a stage with arrival in Milan, I believe in 1996There was a final circuit there too, five of us went away and the group never caught up with us again. I I was free because Mario was no longer in the running, so we collaborated well even though they were working behind Guidi who was the main sprinter. In the end he won Oustchakov and I placed myself.
Mario, last question. Any advice for sprint teams?
If I had a sprinter as strong as Milan, I would give him an extra man at the end. Two fixed riders next to him during the whole stage and at least a third man for the train in the last few kilometers. At current speeds I think at least three companions are needed, especially because Milan is a very powerful rider, a bit like Cipollini wasHe needs to arrive well-placed and at high speed, without having to waste energy trying to make up positions in the last two kilometers.
