Italian Delivers a Season Ending Surprise
The powerful System U team was the odds on favorite for victory in the 1987 “Race of the Falling Leaves.” But the fans at the finish in Milan would be treated to an Italian surprise.
SPECIAL NOTE: the climb of the Madonna de Ghisallo was taken out of the race route in 1987 because of an airplane crash near the climb that claimed 37 lives.
This year the selective action of the race came on the last climb, the Valico di Valcava, only 70 kms from the finish. Ten riders formed a decisive breakaway with three System U riders making the group.
System U bided its time until Eric Boyer (Fra) attacked with 10 kms to go. The Frenchman was quickly caught and Panasonic’s Eric Van Lancker (Bel) counter-attacked. Italian Moreno Argentin joined System U’s Marc Madiot in an all out chase. The three riders came together with only two kilometers to go.
Fearing the sprint of Argentin, Madiot surged from the group under the 1 km banner. With the Milan crowd cheering wildly Argentin caught Madiot and flew across the finish line for the victory.
Moreno Argentin!!!!
Belgian Eric Van Lancker was second with a tired Marc Madiot third just 22 seconds ahead of the remainder of the breakaway.
| GdL October 17, 1987 |
| 265 Km, Como-Milan (Piazza Duomo) |
1. Morano ARGENTIN (Ita) 6h52’10” |
2. Eric Van Lancker (Bel) |
3. Marc Madiot (Fra) |
| Starters: 156 |
| Finishers: 27 |
| Average Speed: 38.581 km/h |
Lomb 1986
Lomb 1988
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