The 1979 Giro d'Italia was the 62nd running of the Giro, one of cycling's Grand Tours. It started in Florence, on 17 May, with an 8 km (5.0 mi) prologue and concluded in Milan, on 6 June, with a 44 km (27.3 mi) individual time trial. A total of 130 riders from thirteen teams entered the 19-stage race, that was won by Italian Giuseppe Saronni of the Scic-Bottecchia team. The second and third places were taken by Italian Francesco Moser and Swede Bernt Johansson, respectively.[1][2]

1979 Giro d'Italia
Race details
Dates17 May - 6 June 1979
Stages19 Prologue
Distance3,301 km (2,051 mi)
Winning time89h 29' 18"
Results
Winner  Giuseppe Saronni (ITA) (Scic-Bottecchia)
  Second  Francesco Moser (ITA) (Sanson Gelati-Luxor TV)
  Third  Bernt Johansson (SWE) (Magniflex-Famcucine)

Points  Giuseppe Saronni (ITA) (Scic-Bottecchia)
Mountains  Claudio Bortolotto (ITA) (Sanson Gelati-Luxor TV)
  Youth  Silvano Contini (ITA) (Bianchi-Faema)
  Team Sanson Gelati-Luxor TV
← 1978
1980 →

In addition to the general classification, Saronni won the points classification, Amongst the other classifications that the race awarded, Claudio Bortolotto of Sanson Gelati-Luxor TV won the mountains classification, and Bianchi-Faema's Silvano Contini completed the Giro as the best rider aged 24 or under in the general classification, finishing fifth overall. Sanson Gelati-Luxor TV finishing as the winners of the team classification, ranking each of the twenty teams contesting the race by lowest cumulative time.

Teams

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Thirteen of the fourteen teams invited to the 1979 Giro d'Italia participated in the race.[3] Kas were forced to decline their invitation, in favor of racing the Vuelta a España, by the Spanish Federation which wanted the "best Hispanic" peloton to be competing in Vuelta that year.[4] Each team sent a squad of ten riders, which meant that the race started with a peloton of 130 cyclists.[3] From the riders that began this edition, 111 made it to the finish in Milan.[5]

The teams entering the race were:[3][6]

  • Sapa Assicurazioni
  • Scic-Bottecchia
  • Willora-Piz Buin-Bonanza
  • Zonca-Santini

Pre-race favorites

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The starting peloton did include the 1978 winner, Johan De Muynck. Successful French rider Bernard Hinault did not enter the race.[7][8]

Route and stages

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The route was unveiled on 22 March 1979.[9][10] Covering a total of 3,301 km (2,051 mi), it included five individual time trials, and nine stages with categorized climbs that awarded mountains classification points.[5][11] The organizers chose to include two rest days. When compared to the previous year's race, the race was 309 km (192 mi) shorter and contained one more time trial. In addition, this race contained one less stage.

Stage results[12]
Stage Date Course Distance Type Winner
P 17 May Florence to Florence 8 km (5 mi)   Individual time trial   Francesco Moser (ITA)
1 18 May Florence to Perugia 156 km (97 mi)   Plain stage   Mario Beccia (ITA)
2 19 May Perugia to Castel Gandolfo 204 km (127 mi)   Plain stage   Roger De Vlaeminck (BEL)
3 20 May Caserta to Naples 31 km (19 mi)   Individual time trial   Francesco Moser (ITA)
4 21 May Caserta to Potenza 210 km (130 mi)   Stage with mountain(s)   Claudio Bortolotto (ITA)
5 22 May Potenza to Vieste 223 km (139 mi)   Stage with mountain(s)   Giuseppe Saronni (ITA)
6 23 May Vieste to Chieti 260 km (162 mi)   Plain stage   Bruno Wolfer (SUI)
7 24 May Chieti to Pesaro 252 km (157 mi)   Plain stage   Alan Van Heerden (RSA)
8 25 May Rimini to City of San Marino (San Marino) 28 km (17 mi)   Individual time trial   Giuseppe Saronni (ITA)
9 26 May City of San Marino (San Marino) to Pistoia 248 km (154 mi)   Stage with mountain(s)   Roger De Vlaeminck (BEL)
10 27 May Lerici to Portovenere 25 km (16 mi)   Individual time trial   Knut Knudsen (NOR)
11 28 May La Spezia to Voghera 212 km (132 mi)   Stage with mountain(s)   Bernt Johansson (SWE)
12 29 May Alessandria to Saint-Vincent 204 km (127 mi)   Plain stage   Roger De Vlaeminck (BEL)
13 30 May Aosta to Meda 229 km (142 mi)   Stage with mountain(s)   Dino Porrini (ITA)
14 31 May Meda to Bosco Chiesanuova 212 km (132 mi)   Stage with mountain(s)   Bernt Johansson (SWE)
15 1 June Verona to Treviso 121 km (75 mi)   Plain stage   Giuseppe Martinelli (ITA)
16 2 June Treviso to Pieve di Cadore 195 km (121 mi)   Stage with mountain(s)   Roberto Ceruti (ITA)
3 June Rest day
17 4 June Pieve di Cadore to Trento 194 km (121 mi)   Stage with mountain(s)   Francesco Moser (ITA)
18 5 June Trento to Barzio 245 km (152 mi)   Stage with mountain(s)   Amilcare Sgalbazzi (ITA)
19 6 June Cesano Maderno to Milan 44 km (27 mi)   Individual time trial   Giuseppe Saronni (ITA)
Total 3,301 km (2,051 mi)

Classification leadership

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A sample of the road climbing to the top of the Passo Pordoi, the Cima Coppi (highest elevation point) of the 1979 Giro.

There were four main individual classifications contested in the 1979 Giro d'Italia, as well as a team competition. Four of them awarded jerseys to their leaders. The general classification was the most important and was calculated by adding each rider's finishing times on each stage.[13] The rider with the lowest cumulative time was the winner of the general classification and was considered the overall winner of the Giro.[13] The rider leading the classification wore a pink jersey to signify the classification's leadership.[13]

The second classification was the points classification. Riders received points for finishing in the top positions in a stage finish, with first place getting the most points, and lower placings getting successively fewer points.[13] The rider leading this classification wore a purple (or cyclamen) jersey.[13] The mountains classification was the third classification and its leader was denoted by the green jersey. In this ranking, points were won by reaching the summit of a climb ahead of other cyclists. Each climb was ranked as either first, second or third category, with more points available for higher category climbs. Most stages of the race included one or more categorized climbs, in which points were awarded to the riders that reached the summit first. The Cima Coppi, the race's highest point of elevation, awarded more points than the other first category climbs.[13] The Cima Coppi for this Giro was the Passo Pordoi, which was first crossed by Italian rider Leonardo Natale. The fourth classification, the young rider classification, was decided the same way as the general classification, but exclusive to neo-professional cyclists (in their first three years of professional racing).[13] The leader of the classification wore a white jersey.[14] In addition, the rider had to be aged 24 and younger.[15]

The final classification, the team classification, awarded no jersey to its leaders. This was calculated by adding together points earned by each rider on the team during each stage through the intermediate sprints, the categorized climbs, stage finishes, etc. The team with the most points led the classification.[13]

There were other minor classifications within the race, including the Campionato delle Regioni classification. The leader wore a blue jersey with colored vertical stripes ("maglia azzurra con banda tricolore verticale").[16] The Fiat Ritmo classification, which was created in honor Juan Manuel Santisteban who died in stage 1A of 1976 edition.[17] In all stages longer than 131 km (81 mi), there was a banner at that point in the stage to designate a special sprint.[17] The winner of the sprint in each stage received a Fiat Ritmo.[17]

Classification leadership by stage
Stage Winner General classification
 
Points classification
 
Mountains classification
 
Young rider classification Team classification
P Francesco Moser Francesco Moser Francesco Moser not awarded ? Bianchi-Faema
1 Mario Beccia Knut Knudsen
2 Roger De Vlaeminck Francesco Moser
3 Francesco Moser
4 Claudio Bortolotto Mario Beccia Sanson Gelati-Luxor TV
5 Giuseppe Saronni
6 Bruno Wolfer Giuseppe Saronni Bianchi-Faema
7 Alan Van Heerden
8 Giuseppe Saronni Giuseppe Saronni
9 Roger De Vlaeminck Claudio Bortolotto
10 Knut Knudsen
11 Bernt Johansson Roger De Vlaeminck
12 Roger De Vlaeminck
13 Dino Porrini Claudio Bortolotto
14 Bernt Johansson Bernt Johansson
15 Giuseppe Martinelli Francesco Moser
16 Roberto Ceruti Giuseppe Saronni
17 Francesco Moser Francesco Moser Claudio Bortolotto Sanson Gelati-Luxor TV
18 Amilcare Sgalbazzi Silvano Contini
19 Giuseppe Saronni Giuseppe Saronni
Final Giuseppe Saronni Giuseppe Saronni Claudio Bortolotto Silvano Contini Sanson Gelati-Luxor TV

Final standings

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Legend
      Denotes the winner of the General classification       Denotes the winner of the Mountains classification
      Denotes the winner of the Points classification

General classification

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Final general classification (1–10)[5][18]
Rank Name Team Time
1   Giuseppe Saronni (ITA)     Scic-Bottecchia 89h 29' 18"
2   Francesco Moser (ITA) Sanson Gelati-Luxor TV 2' 09"
3   Bernt Johansson (SWE) Magniflex-Famcucine 3' 13"
4   Michel Laurent (FRA) Peugeot-Esso-Michelin 5' 31"
5   Silvano Contini (ITA) Bianchi-Faema 7' 33"
6   Mario Beccia (ITA) Mecap-Hoonved 7' 50"
7   Fausto Bertoglio (ITA) Mobilificio San Giacomo 11' 27"
8   Josef Fuchs (SUI) Scic-Bottecchia 13' 07"
9   Gottfried Schmutz (SUI) Willora-Piz Buin-Bonanza 14' 16"
10   Roberto Visentini (ITA) CBM Fast-Gaggia 16' 11"

Points classification

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Final points classification (1-5)[5][19]
Rider Team Points
1   Giuseppe Saronni (ITA)     Scic-Bottecchia 275
2   Francesco Moser (ITA) Sanson Gelati-Luxor TV 274
3   Bernt Johansson (SWE) Magniflex-Famcucine 260
4   Mario Beccia (ITA) Mecap-Hoonved 130
5   Michel Laurent (FRA) Peugeot-Esso-Michelin 118

Mountains classification

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Final mountains classification (1-10)[5][18][19]
Rider Team Points
1   Claudio Bortolotto (ITA)   Sanson Gelati-Luxor TV 495
2   Beat Breu (SUI) Willora-Piz Buin-Bonanza 330
3   Bernt Johansson (SWE) Magniflex-Famcucine 300
4   Mario Beccia (ITA) Mecap-Hoonved 215
5   Mario Ceruti (ITA) Magniflex-Famcucine 170
  Amilcare Sgalbazzi (ITA) Magniflex-Famcucine
  Bruno Vicino (ITA) G.B.C.-Galli-Castelli
8   Leonardo Natale (ITA) Sapa Assicurazioni 150
  Giuseppe Saronni (ITA)     Scic-Bottecchia
10   Francesco Moser (ITA) Sanson Gelati-Luxor TV 130

Young rider classification

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Final young rider classification (1–3)[19]
Rider Team Time
1   Silvano Contini (ITA) Bianchi-Faema 89h 36' 51"
2   Roberto Visentini (ITA) CBM Fast-Gaggia 8' 38"
3   Marino Amadori (ITA) Sapa Assicurazioni 11' 24"

Traguardi Fiat Ritmo classification

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Final traguardi fiat ritmo classification (1–2)[19]
Rider Team Points
1   Angelo Tosoni (ITA) CBM Fast-Gaggia 46
2   Cesare Cipollini (ITA) Mobilificio San Giacomo 24
  Walter Dusi (ITA) Sapa Assicurazioni
  Alessio Antonini (ITA) Mobilificio San Giacomo

Campionato delle Regioni classification

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Final campionato delle regioni classification (1–3)[19]
Rider Team Points
1   Paolo Rosola (ITA) Sapa Assicurazioni 46
2   Giuseppe Martinelli (ITA) Mobilificio San Giacomo 44
3   Bruno Wolfer (SUI) Zonca-Santini 30

Team classification

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Final team classification (1–3)[19]
Team Time
1 Sanson Gelati-Luxor TV ?
2 Scic-Bottecchia 6' 48"
3 Magniflex-Famcucine 10' 42"

References

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Citations

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  1. ^ "Saronni Le Robo <<Su>> <<Giro>> A Moser" [Saronni Stole <<his>> <<Tour>> from Moser] (PDF) (in Spanish). El Mundo Deportivo. 7 June 1979. p. 23. Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  2. ^ Luiciano Curino (7 June 1979). "Saronni vince campione il Giro di Moser" [Saronni wins the Moser Tour] (PDF). La Stampa (in Italian). Editrice La Stampa. p. 19. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  3. ^ a b c "Squadre, corridori, numeri di gara" [Teams, runners, race numbers] (PDF). La Stampa (in Italian). Editrice La Stampa. 17 May 1979. p. 23. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  4. ^ "<<Kas>> no estara en el <<Giro>>..." [<<Kas>> to not be in the <<Giro>>] (PDF). El Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). El Mundo Deportivo S.A. 18 February 1979. p. 25. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 March 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  5. ^ a b c d e Bill and Carol McGann. "1979 Giro d'Italia". Bike Race Info. Dog Ear Publishing. Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 2012-08-06.
  6. ^ "I concorrenti" [The competitors] (PDF). l'Unità (in Italian). PCI. 14 May 1979. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  7. ^ "Moser: <<Si Hinault no viene al <<Giro>> Yo no voy al Tour>>" [Moser: <<If Hinault does not come to << Turn >> I'm not going to the Tour >>] (PDF) (in Spanish). El Mundo Deportivo. 17 February 1979. p. 22. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  8. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). doc.rero.ch. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. ^ "Moserse salio con la Suya" [Moser got his way] (PDF) (in Spanish). El Mundo Deportivo. 23 March 1979. p. 27. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 October 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  10. ^ "<<Giro>> per Moser e Saronni e Becciaa non lo voule fare" [<< Tour >> for Moser and Saronni and Becciaa do not want to do it] (PDF). l'Unità (in Italian). PCI. 23 March 1979. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  11. ^ "Queste la salite" [These climbs] (PDF). l'Unità (in Italian). PCI. 14 May 1979. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  12. ^ "Le Tappe" [The stages] (PDF). l'Unità (in Italian). PCI. 14 May 1979. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h Laura Weislo (13 May 2008). "Giro d'Italia classifications demystified". Cycling News. Future Publishing Limited. Archived from the original on 8 May 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  14. ^ "1977". Giro d'Italia. La Gazzetta dello Sport. 2017. Archived from the original on 1 July 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  15. ^ "Clasificaciones" [Classifications] (PDF) (in Spanish). El Mundo Deportivo. 8 June 1980. p. 25. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 February 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  16. ^ "1975". Giro d'Italia. La Gazzetta dello Sport. 2017. Archived from the original on 1 July 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  17. ^ a b c "1976". Giro d'Italia. La Gazzetta dello Sport. 2017. Archived from the original on 1 July 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  18. ^ a b Gian Paolo Ormezzano (7 June 1979). "Saronni vince da campione il Giro di Moser" [Saronni wins the Tour champion of Moser] (PDF). La Stampa (in Italian). Editrice La Stampa. p. 19. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  19. ^ a b c d e f "Pagelle del '79" [Scoreboard of '79] (PDF). l'Unità (in Italian). PCI. 12 May 1980. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-04-01. Retrieved 22 June 2012.