Curiosity

Bertoglio and Galdos: the Stelvio fighters

An astounding news upsets everybody at the 1975 Giro’s eve: Eddy Merckx, who aspires to reach the record of 6 triumphs at the Giro, quits because of a flu attack that leaves him too weak. As the undisputed leader is out of the loop, the scenario changes and the favourite riders are Galdos, Baronchelli, Panizza, Battaglin and Gimondi.

But the Ciocco mountain time trial brings out Fausto Bertoglio, while his captain Battaglin loses 1’48” and the Maglia Rosa for 6”. The next day is even worse for Battaglin: near Arenzano he loses 9’41” and leaves the first places of the classification.

7 stages left to the end of the Giro and everything can happen: the 26-years rider from Brescia who started as an assistant and found himself to be a leader doesn’t make concessions, even if on the Pordoi he suffers while Galdos is in very ggod condition.

The 48 hairpin turns, representing the neverending climb of the Stelvio, become the turning point of the Giro.

It’a hand-to-hand combat between Galdos and Bertoglio: the Spaniard tries his best but the guy from Brescia doesn’t back down. Galdos has him at his heels. Bertoglio leaves the stage victory to Galdos but wins the Giro.

Planimetry