A Frenchman’s Surprise
“Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated” (Mark Twain 1897) perfectly summarized the comeback to top form of Laurent Fignon. Primed for the comeback Fignon finished fifth at Paris-Nice several weeks before Milan-San Remo. Again this year good spring weather greeted the 198 rider peloton at the start in Milan.
*Race profile courtesy of Internet site: www.econ-outlook.com.au/tom/cycling/palmares.html
The race exploded on the final climb of the Poggio, when Fignon initiated the decisive attack. Only new Italian sensation Maurizio Fondriest could follow the Frenchman. Sean Kelly led the chase from the peloton.
An inspired Fignon held off the hard chase by Sean Kelly and Steven Rooks, and sprinted past Fondriest for the victory.
M-SR March 19, 1988 |
294 Km |
1. Laurent FIGNON (Fra) 7h06'20" |
2. Maurizio Fondriest (Ita)
|
3. Steven Rooks (Ned) +8"
|
Starters: 198 |
Finishers: 111 |
Average Speed: 41.376 km/h
|
M-SR 1987
M-SR 1989
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79th Milan-San Remo 1988 (Italy) 
