We receive and gladly publish.
***
The “Giro” is once again in our area, but the memory of that May 29, 1999, when Marco Pantani wore his last pink jersey in Borgo San Dalmazzo is still alive in some of us who are less young. Everything would end for him, due to a disqualification for “doping” – which remained questionable – a few days later in Madonna di Campiglio; that event was the beginning of the sad cycling and human end of the “Pirate”.
In Borgo, upon arriving on the straight of via Cuneo, Savoldelli arrived first after a reckless descent, to say the least; first towards Demonte, then from Madonna del Colletto to Valdieri.
Pantani qualified second, with a three-man sprint, regaining the pink jersey lost in the ninth stage on our climbs. The next day he made an amazing exploit by arriving first on the route from Racconigi to the Sanctuary of Oropa; celebrated in recent days on the same arrival stretch.
An episode of epic cycling that ended up forgotten: the 14th stage of that year Bra/Borgo San Dalmazzo, despite being fundamental to the progress of the entire Giro, did not have the prominence it deserved because on that day the plane that was supposed to from the bridge to the helicopter for the television broadcasts had some problems (they said it was foggy!) and the commentary was limited to the less demanding parts of the route.
This is why there are no clear images of that fantastic day. Fauniera, a pass whose toponym was little known to the valley dwellers at the time (for everyone it was Colle del Mulo), nevertheless became famous; There are many cyclists who go on a “pilgrimage” to the life-size monument of the great champion.
Adriano De Zan, historic RAI commentator, supported our city and its then emerging product: the snail. It was a moment of great fervor in our community, which saw everyone enthusiastic and involved in an event that has remained in our history.
Marco Borgogno, former mayor of Borgo San Dalmazzo
