A Valcava Launching Pad
This year’s Giro di Lombardia marked the final event of the inaugural UCI World Cup, a year-long competition. World Cup leader Sean Kelly had already scored enough points to secure the championship, but the other places were up for grabs.
Being the final race of the season most riders came to Como with tired leg. Swiss rider Tony Rominger was the exception and set his race plan accordingly. “I wanted to test everyone, so I attacked before the climb of the Valico di Valcava,” said Rominger.
The Valcava started 147 kms into the 260 km race, but it has been a launching pad for winning breakaways in recent years. True to him plan Rominger attacked and dropped everyone on the climb. He rode over the summit with a time gap of 1’45” on a three rider chase group and 2’05” on the peloton.
The peloton chased frantically but over the Valpiana, but the Swiss time trial specialist held a steady gap. After the final climb Rominger had 60 flat kms into the finish.
Despite leg cramp and a headwind Tony Rominger was untouchable. He rode the final 60 km into Milan alone. He took a huge 2’33” victory in the 1989 Giro di Lombardia.
Rominger alone at the finish
SPECIAL NOTE: Rominger’s late season victory vaulted the Swiss to second place behind Sean Kelly in the inaugural UCI World Cup competition.
| GdL October 14, 1989 |
| 260 Km, Como-Milan (Corso Venezia) |
1. Tony ROMINGER (Sui) 6h46’35” |
2. Gilles Delion (Fra) +2’33” |
3.Luc Roosen (Bel) +2’34” |
Starters: 169 |
Finishers: 60 |
Average Speed: 38.369 km/h |
Lomb 1988
Lomb 1990
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