November 2012
Before
there was Lance, Tyler, EPO, or American Tour Winners…
“In
Honor of the American Pioneers”
by Dave Campbell
by Dave Campbell
Q1. Who was the first American to race
the Giro d’Italia? When did he complete this historic and largely
unheralded feat?
Q2. Most people know that Jonathan
Boyer was the first American to ride the Tour de France (an event so
special and historic that he wore a Stars and Stripes jersey despite
the lack of a National Championship Road Race at the time…or even
enough Pros to contest one!), but what was his BEST PLACING? When
did he accomplish this?
Q3. What was the first European pro
win for the young phenom from Nevada Greg Lemond?
A1. Smilin’ George Mount of
California rode the Giro d’Italia in 1981, 3 years before an
American team, and 4 years before Greg Lemond and 7-Eleven. He rode
for Sammontana-Benotto (alongside Italian legends Roberto Visentini
and Moreno Argentin) and finished a solid 25th, 39:20 down
on race winner Giovanni Battaglin.
A2. Boyer, riding for Sem-Reydel-Mavic
alongside Sean Kelly, was 12th in the 1983 Tour, 19:57
down on race winner Laurent Fignon. He was actually in 9th
prior to the penultimate stage time trial.
A3. Stage One of the Tour d’Oise (A
now defunct June Stage Race that was one of France’s top five stage
races in the early 80s) in a small group sprint in front of his
friend Australian Phil Anderson.
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