78th Giro di Lombardia 1984 (Italy)

Hinault Finishes 1984 in Style

Super Prestige Pernod Trophy winner Sean Kelly and recently crowned World Champion Claude Criquielion led the list of favorites for the 1984 Giro di Lombardia. 

He race left Milan under clear blue Italian skies.  Attacks began early and set a strong pace for the first hour.  When the race came to the first climb 11 riders escaped.  The breakaway gained 3’20” before Claude Criquielion in his Rainbow Jesrey began to push the pack.

Giro di Lombardia Profile (Courtesy Gazzetta dello Sport)

On the climb of the Balisio Pass Bernard Hinault came to the front to help the chase.  After a long pursuit along the banks of Lake Como the race came back together in Menaggio.

Starting the ascent of the Schignano a crash slowed the peloton.  In the confusion Charly Mottet and Stephen Roche opened a 38 second gap before Ludo Peters took control of the chase. 

On the flat roads before the final climb the peloton was losing time to the leader.  Bernard Hinault made an all out effort and quickly joined Peters and Inaki Gaston in pursuit of Roche and a tiring Mottet.  The breakaway and pursuers joined on the final climb, the San Fermo della Battaglia. 

Hinault wasted no time and attacked over the summit.  With 10 kms to go he held a 25 second lead.  The inspired Frenchman gained with every pedal stroke and rode into Como to claim the prestigious “Race of the Falling Leaves”. 

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