Claudio Chiappucci's Sports Injuries

Before exclusively managing Lance Armstrong's sporting career, Dr. Michele Ferrari, together with his compatriot Luigi Cecchini, took the reins of a new Italian team created after the dissolution of the mythical Carrera squad. This was the Asics CGA team led by the 34-year-old veteran Claudio Chiapucci. Ferrari's mission was clear: resurrect the brave warrior who almost won the Tour de France at the beginning of the decade. However, he failed, tarnishing forever the image of Miguel Indurain's great rival. In 1996, the legendary climber Claudio Chiapucci was a shadow of the man who had amazed everyone in the Grand Tours and Classics. After sharing a team with the then-young Marco Pantani, the Italian tifosi turned to the new up-and-coming promise and abandoned "Il Diablo," who had to settle for second places in small stages of the Giro d'Italia in his last year at Carrera. At the end of the season, the team split into two formations: Pantani's friends went to Mercatone Uno, and Chiapucci's friends went to the new Asics CGA team. This squad promised a lot by gathering several top-level cyclists, including Enrique Zaina, Chiapucci himself, and classics riders like Michele Bartoli and the young Paolo Bettini. Chiapucci had a clear objective for 1997: to return to fight for the Giro d'Italia and try to win it once and for all. He made an under-the-radar preparation, finishing second in the Coppi e Bartali and the Giro di Sardegna. He also performed exceptionally well in the Tour of Flanders, finishing in an impressive sixth position. However, his dream began to unravel at the Tour de Romandie when he tested positive for EPO with a hematocrit level of 51.8. This resulted in his expulsion from the Swiss tour and the Giro d'Italia, causing great disappointment. Despite this, Dr. Ferrari encouraged him to fight for the World Cycling Championships in San Sebastián and the Vuelta a España. Chiapucci prepared well in smaller tours and started the Vuelta wonderfully, finishing in a respectable 11th position. However, the day before the World Championships, he again tested positive for EPO, exceeding a hematocrit level of 52, and was expelled from the competition. Chiapucci admitted to using EPO since 1993, although he later withdrew his statements due to internal pressures. He was essentially fired by Asics and signed with the modest Amica Chips team. Despite his efforts, his career ended in disappointment. He was later implicated in a Bolognese police investigation and appeared in Dr. Conconi's papers, suggesting the use of EPO. Chiapucci's career ended in a pitiful manner, but he remains a well-liked figure with numerous sponsors and media appearances. Despite his doping past, he continues to keep his bank account nicely topped up.

Watch every stage of the Tour de France 2024 live and on-demand on @discovery+, @eurosport, and MAX. In the final kilometers, riders must be in a good position, not necessarily at the front but ready to lead out their team. Many teams are missing key riders, making it challenging to form effective lead-out trains. Fatigue is a significant factor, and teams need to conserve energy for the final sprint. Some riders, despite not being sprinters, are willing to take a chance due to the race's fatigue level. As the race progresses, various teams and riders maneuver for position. Biniam Girmay is closely followed by his competitors. Yoris Abramson, who has been in multiple breaks, makes another attempt but is chased down by the peloton, led by GC teams. With 3 km to go, the chase intensifies, and teams position their sprinters for the final sprint. In the last kilometer, Intermarché-Circus-Wanty takes control, keeping the pace high. A massive crash occurs with 750 meters to go, affecting several riders, but the sprint continues. Jasper Philipsen emerges victorious, securing his second win in this Tour de France.

Stage 13: Saint Gervais - Sestrières, Claudio Chiappucci achieves a historic feat in the queen stage of the '92 Tour; Miguel...