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1996 Results
ReportWith his index finger pointing up to heaven, like Lance Armstrong at the '95. That's how it was for Bortolami at the finish line of the 79th Coppa Bernocchi, who was thinking of Fabio Casartelli. "I was in front of him when he fell at the Tour, a picture that remains in my mind and I've been scared for a long time after that. So I made the promise to dedicate an important win to him. Fabio was my friend, so today's achievement was dedicated to him".Bortolami won by escaping on the fifth of seven laps on the circuit of Valle Olona and riding for 65km by himself, while being chased by 21 riders which included Tafi & Bartoli along with Zanini, Ferrigato, Casarotto, Celestino, Piccoli, Donati & Lombardi. Gianluca Bortolami was born on August 28th of 1968 at Locate Triulzi (Mi) and lives in Castano Primo (Mi) with his wife Stefania and his son 13 month old Alessandro. He started racing when he was 9 and showing early his capacity to win: he has 181 wins in his pamares on the road. He became a Pro in 1990 and has won 18 races, with his best year being 1994, when he won the Tour de France stage to Rennes, Leeds International, Championship of Zurich and the final classification of the World Cup. Last year he finished 2nd at Paris-Roubaix. This year he has won a stage at la Vuelta a Galicia and la Coppa Bernocchi. Race distance - 206 kms:1. Gianluca Bortolami (Ita) Festina 4.45.59 2. Stefano Zanini (Ita) Mapei 0.42 3. Marco Lietti (Ita) Refin 4. Giovanni Lombardi (Ita) Telekom 5. Andrea Ferrigato (Ita) Roslotto 6. Alessio di Basco (Ita) Saeco 7. Nicola Loda (Ita) MG 8. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Scrigno 9. Michele Bartoli (Ita) MG 10. Riccardo Forconi (Ita) Amore e Vita |