1969 Giro d'Italia#Points classification
{{Infobox cycling race report
| name = 1969 Giro d'Italia
| image =
| image_size =
| image_caption =
| image_alt =
| date = 16 May - 8 June 1969
| stages = 23, including one split stage
| distance = 3851
| unit = km
| time = 106h 47' 03"
| speed = 36.066
| first = Felice Gimondi
| first_nat = ITA
| first_team = Salvarani
| first_color = pink
| second = Claudio Michelotto
| second_nat = ITA
| second_team = Max Meyer
| third = Italo Zilioli
| third_nat = ITA
| third_team = Filotex
| points = Franco Bitossi
| points_nat = ITA
| points_team = Filotex
| points_color = red
| mountains = Claudio Michelotto
| mountains_nat = ITA
| mountains_team = Max Meyer
| mountains_color =
| combination =
| combination_nat =
| combination_team =
| combination_color =
| team = Molteni
| teampoints =
| previous = 1968
|next = 1970
}}
The 1969 Giro d'Italia was the 52nd edition of the Giro d'Italia, one of cycling's Grand Tours. The {{convert|3851|km|adj=on}} race consisted of 23 stages, one of which was a split stage, starting in Garda on 16 May and finishing Milan on 8 June. There were two time trial stages and a single rest day. Felice Gimondi of the Salvarani team won the overall general classification, his second victory. Italians Claudio Michelotto (Max Meyer) placed second, 3 min and 35 s slower than Gimondi, and Italo Zilioli (Filotex) was third, over four minutes behind Gimondi.
Eddy Merckx, who was leading the general classification, was excluded from the race after an extremely controversial anti-doping control in Savona.
Teams
{{main list|List of teams and cyclists in the 1969 Giro d'Italia}}
A total of 13 teams were invited to participate in the 1969 Giro d'Italia.{{cite web|url=http://dlib.coninet.it/bookreader.php?&c=1&f=14019&p=1#page/2/mode/1up|title=In 130 al "via"|newspaper=Corriere dello Sport|date=16 May 1969|page=2|access-date=7 July 2013|language=it|trans-title=In 130 the "way"|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228225003/http://dlib.coninet.it/bookreader.php?&c=1&f=14019&p=1|archive-date=28 December 2014|url-status=live}} Each team sent a squad of ten riders, so the Giro began with a peloton of 130 cyclists.{{cite news |url=https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1969/05/16/page_010.pdf|title=Oggi la prima tappa da Lago del Garda a Brescia|language=it |date=16 May 1969 |page=10 |newspaper=l'Unità |publisher=PCI |access-date=22 June 2018|author=Gino Sala|trans-title=Today the first stop from Lake Garda to Brescia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428182142/https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1969/05/16/page_010.pdf|archive-date=28 April 2019 |url-status=dead }} Riders of Italian nationality numbered the most with 113, while Belgium had the second most with eight.{{cite news|url=http://doc.rero.ch/record/194944/files/1969-05-16.pdf|title=Le défi Merckx-Gimondi sera le principal attrait du 52e Giro|trans-title=The Merckx-Gimondi challenge will be the main attraction of the 52nd Giro|language=fr|newspaper=Nouvelliste et Feuille d'Avis du Valais|date=16 May 1969|page=7|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023010638/http://doc.rero.ch/record/194944/files/1969-05-16.pdf|archive-date=23 October 2019|via=RERO}}{{cite news|url=http://doc.rero.ch/record/64445/files/1969-05-16.pdf|title=Un troisième larron saura-t-il tirer profit du duel que se livreront Merckx et Gimondi?|trans-title=Will a third thief take advantage of the duel between Merckx and Gimondi?|language=fr|newspaper=Feuille d'Avis de Neuchatel|date=16 May 1969|page=22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023010848/http://doc.rero.ch/record/64445/files/1969-05-16.pdf|archive-date=23 October 2019|via=RERO}} Out of the 130 riders that started this edition of the Giro d'Italia, a total of 81 riders made it to the finish in Milan.
The teams that took part in the race were:
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Pre-race favorites
{{multiple image
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| image1 = Eddy Merckx 1967cr.jpg
| width1 = 135
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| caption1 =
| image2 = Felice Gimondi 1967.jpg
| width2 = 150
| alt2 =
| caption2 =
| header =
| header_align =
| header_background =
| footer = Eddy Merckx and Felice Gimondi (left and right, respectively, pictured at the 1967 Giro d'Italia) were viewed as the favorites to win the race. Gimondi had finished third in 1968, while Merckx won the race. Gimondi won the 1967 edition when Merckx finished seventh.
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Eddy Merckx (Faema), the previous year's winner returned to defend his crown. He arrived in Italy amid a great season already with victories in the three Monuments Milan–San Remo, Tour of Flanders, and Liège–Bastogne–Liège.{{sfn|Gallagher|2017|p=151}}{{cite web|url=http://bikeraceinfo.com/giro/giro1969.html |title=1969 Giro d'Italia |work=Bike Race Info|author= Bill and Carol McGann |publisher=Dog Ear Publishing|access-date=2012-07-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227195922/http://bikeraceinfo.com/giro/giro1969.html|archive-date=27 February 2014|url-status=live}} Merckx named Felice Gimondi ({{UCI team code|Salvarani|1969}}) his top rival for the upcoming race.{{cite news |url=https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1969/05/13/page_007.pdf|title=Vi diamo sei pronostici dettati e sottoscritti|language=it |date=13 May 1969 |page=7 |newspaper=l'Unità |publisher=PCI |access-date=22 June 2018|trans-title=We give you six predictions dictated and signed|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523142558/https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1969/05/13/page_007.pdf|archive-date=23 May 2020}} Both Merckx and 1967 champion Gimondi were viewed as the principal favorites to win the race. Gimondi had won the Tour de Romandie and placed second in the Tour of Flanders. Both riders hoped to achieve the Giro–Tour double, for the first time since Jacques Anquetil achieved it in 1964. Gimondi had previously attempted the feat in 1965 and 1967. Merckx had specifically hoped to ride a conservative race in order to help his chances to complete the double.{{sfn|Gallagher|2017|p=151}}{{cite news |url=https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1969/05/13/page_005.pdf|title=Vittorio Adorni medita la carta da giocare sulla ruota di Milano|language=it |date=13 May 1969 |page=5 |newspaper=l'Unità |publisher=PCI |access-date=22 June 2018|trans-title=Vittorio Adorni ponders the card to play on the wheel of Milan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523142625/https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1969/05/13/page_005.pdf|archive-date=23 May 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1969/05/13/page_008.pdf|title=Per Gimondi è giunto il momento della verita |language=it |date=13 May 1969 |page=8 |newspaper=l'Unità |publisher=PCI |access-date=22 June 2018|trans-title=For Gimondi the moment of truth has come|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523142852/https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1969/05/13/page_008.pdf|archive-date=23 May 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1969/05/13/page_009.pdf|title=Il grande Merckx è pronto per il nuovo esaltante confronto|language=it |date=13 May 1969 |page=9 |newspaper=l'Unità |publisher=PCI |access-date=22 June 2018|trans-title=The great Merckx is ready for the new exciting confrontation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523142856/https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1969/05/13/page_009.pdf|archive-date=23 May 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1969/05/15/page_010.pdf|title=Vianelli: Niento Giro (Squalificato per doping)|language=it |date=15 May 1969 |page=10 |newspaper=l'Unità |publisher=PCI |access-date=22 June 2018|trans-title=Vianelli: Niento Giro (Disqualified for doping)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523143252/https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1969/05/15/page_010.pdf|archive-date=23 May 2020}}
Reigning world champion Vittorio Adorni ({{UCI team code|Scic|1969}}) who placed second the year before was viewed as a rider who could challenge the Gimondi–Merckx duel, despite being winless that season so far. Filotex's Italo Zilioli and Franco Bitossi were other riders who were speculated to challenge for high general classification positions. Top sprinters entering the race were Molteni's Michele Dancelli and Marino Basso.{{cite news |url=https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1969/05/13/page_010.pdf|title=Con Dancelli-Basso un tandem a caccia di molti traguardi|language=it |date=13 May 1969 |page=10 |newspaper=l'Unità |publisher=PCI |access-date=22 June 2018|trans-title=With Dancelli-Basso a tandem chasing many goals|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523142934/https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1969/05/13/page_010.pdf|archive-date=23 May 2020}}
Spanish and French rider participation was lacking, as the former had only a single team entered and there were zero French riders competing. Notable absences included Gianni Motta and Franco Balmamion.
Route and stages
The route was revealed on 27 March 1969 by race director Vincenzo Torriani.{{cite news |url=https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1969/03/28/page_009.pdf|title=Ecco il <
The race started in Garda and made its way south and west across the Apennines. Then the race headed south until Potenza before turning north until reaching San Marino for two stages. The race transferred to Parma and headed east again and entered the Dolomites. Traversing the Dolomites, the race headed west until its finish in Milan.
| class="wikitable" |
| style="background:#efefef;"
!Stage !Date !Course !Distance !colspan="2"|Type !Winner |
| style="text-align:center"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|16 May | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|142|km|0|abbr=on}} | style="text-align:center;"| Image:Plainstage.svg |Plain stage | {{flagathlete|Giancarlo Polidori|ITA}} |
|---|
| style="text-align:center"|2
| style="text-align:center;"|17 May | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|180|km|0|abbr=on}} | style="text-align:center;"| Image:Plainstage.svg |Plain stage | {{flagathlete|Davide Boifava|ITA}} |
| style="text-align:center"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|18 May |Mirandola to Montecatini Terme | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|188|km|0|abbr=on}} | style="text-align:center;"| Image:Mountainstage.svg |Stage with mountain(s) | {{flagathlete|Eddy Merckx|BEL}} |
| style="text-align:center"|4
| style="text-align:center;"|19 May |Montecatini Terme to Montecatini Terme | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|21|km|0|abbr=on}} | style="text-align:center;"|Image:Time Trial.svg | {{flagathlete|Eddy Merckx|BEL}} |
| style="text-align:center"|5
| style="text-align:center;"|20 May |Montecatini Terme to Follonica | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|194|km|0|abbr=on}} | style="text-align:center;"| Image:Plainstage.svg |Plain stage | {{flagathlete|Albert Van Vlierberghe|BEL}} |
| style="text-align:center"|6
| style="text-align:center;"|21 May | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|198|km|0|abbr=on}} | style="text-align:center;"| Image:Plainstage.svg |Plain stage | {{flagathlete|Franco Cortinovis|ITA}} |
| style="text-align:center"|7
| style="text-align:center;"|22 May | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|206|km|0|abbr=on}} | style="text-align:center;"| Image:Plainstage.svg |Plain stage | {{flagathlete|Eddy Merckx|BEL}} |
| style="text-align:center"|8
| style="text-align:center;"|23 May | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|133|km|0|abbr=on}} | style="text-align:center;"| Image:Plainstage.svg |Plain stage | {{flagathlete|Marino Basso|ITA}} |
| style="text-align:center"|9
| style="text-align:center;"|24 May | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|173|km|0|abbr=on}} | style="text-align:center;"| Image:Plainstage.svg |Plain stage | {{flagathlete|Michele Dancelli|ITA}} |
| style="text-align:center"|10
| style="text-align:center;"|25 May | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|254|km|0|abbr=on}} | style="text-align:center;"| Image:Mountainstage.svg |Stage with mountain(s) | {{flagathlete|Carlo Chiappano|ITA}} |
| style="text-align:center"|11
| style="text-align:center;"|26 May |Campobasso to Scanno | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|165|km|0|abbr=on}} | style="text-align:center;"| Image:Mountainstage.svg |Stage with mountain(s) | {{flagathlete|Franco Bitossi|ITA}} |
| style="text-align:center"|12
| style="text-align:center;"|27 May |Scanno to Silvi Marina | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|180|km|0|abbr=on}} | style="text-align:center;"| Image:Mountainstage.svg |Stage with mountain(s) | {{flagathlete|Ugo Colombo|ITA}} |
| style="text-align:center"|13
| style="text-align:center;"|28 May | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|166|km|0|abbr=on}} | style="text-align:center;"| Image:Plainstage.svg |Plain stage | {{flagathlete|Marino Basso|ITA}} |
| style="text-align:center"|14
| style="text-align:center;"|29 May |Senigallia to City of San Marino (San Marino) | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|185|km|0|abbr=on}} | style="text-align:center;"| Image:Mountainstage.svg |Stage with mountain(s) | {{flagathlete|Franco Bitossi|ITA}} |
| style="text-align:center"|15
| style="text-align:center;"|30 May |Cesenatico to City of San Marino (San Marino) | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|49.3|km|0|abbr=on}} | style="text-align:center;"|Image:Time Trial.svg | {{flagathlete|Eddy Merckx|BEL}} |
| |align="center"|31 May
|colspan="6" align=center| Rest day |
| style="text-align:center"|16
| style="text-align:center;"|1 June | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|234|km|0|abbr=on}} | style="text-align:center;"| Image:Mountainstage.svg |Stage with mountain(s) | {{flagathlete|Roberto Ballini|ITA}} |
| style="text-align:center"|17
| style="text-align:center;"|2 June |Celle Ligure to Pavia | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|182|km|0|abbr=on}} | style="text-align:center;"| Image:Plainstage.svg |Plain stage | {{flagathlete|Ole Ritter|DEN}} |
| style="text-align:center"|18a
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|3 June | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|115|km|0|abbr=on}} | style="text-align:center;"| Image:Plainstage.svg |Plain stage | {{flagathlete|Marino Basso|ITA}} |
| style="text-align:center"|18b
|Zingonia to San Pellegrino Terme | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|100|km|0|abbr=on}} | style="text-align:center;"| Image:Mountainstage.svg |Stage with mountain(s) | {{flagathlete|Marino Basso|ITA}} |
| style="text-align:center"|19
| style="text-align:center;"|4 June |San Pellegrino Terme to Folgaria | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|248|km|0|abbr=on}} | style="text-align:center;"| Image:Mountainstage.svg |Stage with mountain(s) | {{flagathlete|Italo Zilioli|ITA}} |
| style="text-align:center"|20
| style="text-align:center;"|5 June | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|230|km|0|abbr=on}} | style="text-align:center;"| Image:Plainstage.svg |Plain stage | style="text-align:center;"|Stage Cancelled |
| style="text-align:center"|21
| style="text-align:center;"|6 June | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|131|km|0|abbr=on}} | style="text-align:center;"| Image:Mountainstage.svg |Stage with mountain(s) | {{flagathlete|Claudio Michelotto|ITA}} |
| style="text-align:center"|22
| style="text-align:center;"|7 June | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|150|km|0|abbr=on}} | style="text-align:center;"| Image:Mountainstage.svg |Stage with mountain(s) | {{flagathlete|Vittorio Adorni|ITA}} |
| style="text-align:center"|23
| style="text-align:center;"|8 June | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|257|km|0|abbr=on}} | style="text-align:center;"| Image:Mountainstage.svg |Stage with mountain(s) | {{flagathlete|Attilio Benfatto|ITA}} |
| |colspan="2" align=center| Total
|colspan="5" align="center"| {{convert|3851|km|0|abbr=on}} |
Race overview
The twentieth stage of the race from Trento to Marmolada started at 8:30 AM local time and by around 1 PM the weather was worsening and this lead race organizers to change the route in order to go through Fiera di Primiero.{{cite web |url=http://www.giroditalia.it/eng/editions/1968-1977/ |title=1969 |date=2017 |work=Giro d'Italia |publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport |access-date=13 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701114308/http://www.giroditalia.it/eng/editions/1968-1977/ |archive-date=1 July 2017 |url-status=live }} However, the weather there was even worse and the Torriani elected to neutralize the stage after {{convert|104|km|0|abbr=on}} of racing.
Following Merckx's disqualification from the race, there were rumors of riders protests.{{cite news|url=http://doc.rero.ch/record/194958/files/1969-06-03.pdf|title=Le Giro Décapité et Probablement Le Tour de France|trans-title=The Decapitated Giro and Probably The Tour de France|language=fr|newspaper=Nouvelliste et Feuille d'Avis du Valais|date=3 June 1969|page=8|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023011518/http://doc.rero.ch/record/194958/files/1969-06-03.pdf|archive-date=23 October 2019|via=RERO}} The race started an hour later than intended and the race stopped briefly in front of Merckx's hotel in an act of solidarity.{{cite news|url=http://doc.rero.ch/record/64459/files/1969-06-03.pdf|title=Gimondi refuse d'endosser le maillot rose de " leader "|trans-title=Gimondi refuses to don the pink “leader” jersey|language=fr|newspaper=Feuille d'Avis de Neuchatel|date=3 June 1969|page= 15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023011648/http://doc.rero.ch/record/64459/files/1969-06-03.pdf|archive-date=23 October 2019|via=RERO}} Gimondi, who was promoted to first place, refused to wear the pink jersey during the seventeenth stage. However, the stage went on and the winning breakaway started roughly 30 kilometers from the race finish, with Ole Ritter attacking to win ahead of the fifteen other riders in the move. The mood of the peloton and the race's caravan was described as dismayed.
=Doping=
The race had doping controls and the top two riders in the general classification were drug tested after each stage, along with two other cyclists chosen at random.{{sfn|Foot|2011|p=251}} A mobile lab that traveled with the race and conducted the drug tests.{{sfn|Foot|2011|p=251}}
{{Quote box |quoted=true |bgcolor=#FFFFF0 |salign=center
|width=20%
|align=right
|quote=I'm sure ... I'm convinced of it ... I didn't take anything ... It's the truth. Never, never have I taken anything.
|source=Eddy Merckx following as he spoke to reporters from his hotel room{{cite news|url=http://doc.rero.ch/record/64459/files/1969-06-03.pdf|title=Merckx pleure|trans-title=Meckx Cries|language=fr|newspaper=Feuille d'Avis de Neuchatel|date=3 June 1969|page= 15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023011648/http://doc.rero.ch/record/64459/files/1969-06-03.pdf|archive-date=23 October 2019|via=RERO}}
}}
On 2 June, it was announced that the race leader Merckx had tested positive.{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1969/06/04/MD19690604-012.pdf |title=La bomba del <
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428183240/https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1969/06/04/page_009.pdf|archive-date=28 April 2019 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1969/06/03/page_001.pdf|title=Espulso Merckx: droga, congiura o errore?|language=it |date=3 June 1969 |page=1 |newspaper=l'Unità |publisher=PCI |access-date=22 June 2018|trans-title=Expelled Merckx: drugs, conspiracy or error|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428184508/https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1969/06/03/page_001.pdf|archive-date=28 April 2019 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1969/06/03/page_009.pdf|title=Merckx: <
The positive test meant Merckx was to be suspended for a month.{{cite news|url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/1999/giugno/06/Merckx_positivo_cacciato_dal_Giro_ga_0_9906069133.shtml|title=Merckx positivo: cacciato dal Giro nel 1969 |newspaper=La Gazzetta dello Sport|author=Rino Negri |trans-title=Merckx positive expelled from the Tour in 1969| language=it|date=6 June 1999|access-date=27 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511215644/http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/1999/giugno/06/Merckx_positivo_cacciato_dal_Giro_ga_0_9906069133.shtml|archive-date=11 May 2015|url-status=live}} Race director Vincenzo Torriani delayed the start of the seventeenth stage in an attempt to persuade the president of the Italian Cycling Federation to allow Merckx to begin the stage. However, the president was not in his office and Torriani was forced to start the stage, disqualifying Merckx in the process. Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) president Adriano Rodoni announced an investigation into the situation,{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1969/06/04/MD19690604-001.pdf |title=El Drama de Eddy Merckx|language=es |date=4 June 1969 |page=1 |agency= Telefoto Europa Press|publisher=El Mundo Deportivo |access-date=27 May 2012 |trans-title=The Drama of Eddy Merckx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411234612/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1969/06/04/MD19690604-001.pdf|archive-date=11 April 2016 |url-status=live }} which, in the succeeding days, resulted in the removal of the suspension.
The reaction to Merckx's expulsion was wide. Many writers sided with Merckx stating how he tested negative every other time in the race to that point before the positive on his final test.{{refn|name=NumberofTestsEddy|group=N|One source states he took eight tests,{{cite news|url=http://doc.rero.ch/record/64459/files/1969-06-03.pdf|title=Merckx Expulsé|trans-title=Meckx Expulsed|language=fr|newspaper=Feuille d'Avis de Neuchatel|date=3 June 1969|page=1 & 15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023011648/http://doc.rero.ch/record/64459/files/1969-06-03.pdf|archive-date=23 October 2019|via=RERO}} while the other states he took eleven.{{cite news|url=http://doc.rero.ch/record/194958/files/1969-06-03.pdf|title=La mort du Giro?|trans-title=The Death of the Giro?|language=fr|newspaper=Nouvelliste et Feuille d'Avis du Valais|date=3 June 1969|page=8|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023011518/http://doc.rero.ch/record/194958/files/1969-06-03.pdf|archive-date=23 October 2019|via=RERO}}}} Several pointed to his clean track record and willingness to take doping controls whenever approached. A writer made note that it was widely known that riders took stimulants at the time, otherwise the pace of racing could not be kept at what it was at the time. At the time the list of banned substances varied from country to country. There were some riders that threatened to strike at the start of the seventeenth stage. Some writers stated that the Giro was over at that point, and one went as far as to say that this might be the death of the Giro. There were hypotheses that he had consumed tainted food. Fellow cyclists also sided with Merckx, Taccone stated "It was sabotage, while Gimondi commented that if he were to win the race overall, it would have no meaning since he could not best Merckx.{{cite news|url=http://doc.rero.ch/record/64459/files/1969-06-03.pdf|title=Altig : La loi doit être respectée. S'il s'était agi d'un coureur de second plan...|trans-title=Altig: The law must be respected. If he had been a runner in the background ...|language=fr|newspaper=Feuille d'Avis de Neuchatel|date=3 June 1969|page= 15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023011648/http://doc.rero.ch/record/64459/files/1969-06-03.pdf|archive-date=23 October 2019|via=RERO}} On the other hand, Rudi Altig told the media: "The law must be respected. If it had been a runner in the background, there would be no scandal. He would have been disqualified without any other form of trial. Merckx, on the other hand, is the victim, and that is why the case is experiencing such a twist." Former cyclist Marino Vigna and Faema co–director mentioned that Merckx could not have taken a tampered bottle from the ‘’tifosi’’ as he warned Merckx “from the start of the Giro against the danger of refueling during the stage by the public,” further saying that Merckx never accepted bottles from fans. However, he did say that Merckx could have gotten a bottle from a teammate that got one from a spectator.
Classification leadership
Two different jerseys were worn during the 1969 Giro d'Italia. The leader of the general classification – calculated by adding the stage finish times of each rider – wore a pink jersey. This classification is the most important of the race, and its winner is considered as the winner of the Giro.{{cite web|author=Laura Weislo |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=/features/2008/giro_classifications08 |title=Giro d'Italia classifications demystified |date=13 May 2008 |work=Cycling News |publisher=Future Publishing Limited |access-date=13 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508234448/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=/features/2008/giro_classifications08 |archive-date=8 May 2013 |url-status=live }}
For the points classification, which awarded a red jersey to its leader,{{cite web|url=http://dlib.coninet.it/bookreader.php?&c=1&f=14022&p=1#page/4/mode/1up|title=Trofeo Dreher Forte|work=Corriere dello Sport|date=20 May 1969|page=4|access-date=7 July 2013|language=it|trans-title=Dreher Forte Trophy |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141228233039/http://dlib.coninet.it/bookreader.php?&c=1&f=14022&p=1|archive-date=28 December 2014|url-status=live}} cyclists were given points for finishing a stage in the top 15.{{cite web|url=http://dlib.coninet.it/bookreader.php?&c=1&f=12319&p=1#page/9/mode/1up|title=Regolamento|work=Corriere dello Sport|date=19 May 1966|page=9|access-date=7 July 2013|language=it|trans-title=Regulation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223155321/http://dlib.coninet.it/bookreader.php?&c=1&f=12337&p=1#page/9/mode/1up|archive-date=23 December 2014|url-status=dead}} The mountains classification leader. The climbs were ranked in first and second categories. In this ranking, points were won by reaching the summit of a climb ahead of other cyclists. Although no jersey was awarded, there was also one classification for the teams, in which the stage finish times of the best three cyclists per team were added; the leading team was the one with the lowest total time.
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; font-size:smaller;"
|+Classification leadership by stage |
| style="background:#efefef;"
! style="width:1%;"| Stage ! style="width:15%;"| Winner ! style="background:#efefef; width:14%;"|General classification ! style="background:#efefef; width:14%;"|Points classification ! style="background:#efefef; width:14%;"|Mountains classification ! style="background:#efefef; width:14%;"|Team classification |
| 1
|style="background:pink;"| Giancarlo Polidori |style="background:salmon;" rowspan="3"| Giancarlo Polidori |style="background:#EFEFEF;" rowspan="2"| not awarded |style="background:lightyellow;" rowspan="24"| Molteni |
|---|
| 2
|style="background:pink;"| Davide Boifava |
| 3
|style="background:pink;" rowspan="6"| Giancarlo Polidori |style="background:lightgreen;" rowspan="7"| Eddy Merckx |
| 4
|style="background:salmon;" rowspan="10"| Eddy Merckx |
| 5 |
| 6 |
| 7 |
| 8 |
| 9
|style="background:pink;" rowspan="3"| Eddy Merckx |
| 10
|style="background:lightgreen;"| Eddy Merckx & Carlo Chiappano |
| 11
|style="background:lightgreen;"| Franco Bitossi |
| 12
|style="background:pink;" rowspan="2"| Silvano Schiavon |style="background:lightgreen;" rowspan="10"| Michele Dancelli |
| 13 |
| 14
|style="background:pink;" rowspan="3"| Eddy Merckx |style="background:salmon;"| Franco Bitossi |
| 15
|style="background:salmon;" rowspan="2"| Eddy Merckx |
| 16 |
| 17
|style="background:pink;" rowspan="8"| Felice Gimondi |style="background:salmon;" rowspan="8"| Franco Bitossi |
| 18a |
| 18b |
| 19 |
| 20
| Stage Cancelled |
| 21
|style="background:lightgreen;" rowspan="3"| Claudio Michellotto |
| 22 |
| 23 |
| colspan=2| Final
! style="background:#F660AB;"| Felice Gimondi ! style="background:red;"|Franco Bitossi ! style="background:#32CD32;"| Claudio Michellotto ! style="background:yellow;"| Molteni |
Final standings
| class="wikitable" |
| colspan=4| Legend |
|---|
| Image:Jersey pink.svg
| Denotes the winner of the General classification | Denotes the winner of the Points classification |
=General classification=
{{columns-start}}
=Mountains classification=
| class="wikitable" |
| Rank
!Name !Team !Points |
|---|
| style="text-align:center"| 1
| {{flagathlete|Claudio Michelotto|ITA}} | Max Meyer |style="text-align:center"| 330 |
| style="text-align:center"| 2
| {{flagathlete|Italo Zilioli|ITA}} | Filotex |style="text-align:center"| 250 |
| style="text-align:center"| 3
| {{flagathlete|Felice Gimondi|ITA}} Image:Jersey pink.svg | Salvarani |style="text-align:center"| 230 |
| style="text-align:center"| 4
| {{flagathlete|Michele Dancelli|ITA}} | Molteni |style="text-align:center"| 220 |
| style="text-align:center" rowspan="2"| 5
| {{flagathlete|Ugo Colombo|ITA}} | Filotex |style="text-align:center" rowspan="2"| 130 |
| {{flagathlete|Silvano Schiavon|ITA}}
| Sanson |
| style="text-align:center"| 7
| {{flagathlete|Julio Jiménez|ESP|1945}} | Eliolona |style="text-align:center"| 120 |
| style="text-align:center"| 8
| {{flagathlete|Franco Bitossi|ITA}} Image:Jersey red.svg | Filotex |style="text-align:center"| 100 |
| style="text-align:center"| 9
| {{flagathlete|Vittorio Adorni|ITA}} | Scic |style="text-align:center"| 80 |
| style="text-align:center"| 10
| {{flagathlete|Wladimiro Panizza|ITA}} | Salvarani |style="text-align:center"| 60 |
{{column}}
=Points classification=
| class="wikitable" |
| Rank
!Name !Team !Points |
|---|
| style="text-align:center"| 1
| {{flagathlete|Franco Bitossi|ITA}} Image:Jersey red.svg | Filotex |style="text-align:center"| 182 |
| style="text-align:center"| 2
| {{flagathlete|Marino Basso|ITA}} | Molteni |style="text-align:center"| 166 |
| style="text-align:center"| 3
| {{flagathlete|Michele Dancelli|ITA}} | Molteni |style="text-align:center"| 129 |
| style="text-align:center"| 4
| {{flagathlete|Felice Gimondi|ITA}} Image:Jersey pink.svg | Salvarani |style="text-align:center"| 126 |
| style="text-align:center"| 5
| {{flagathlete|Luigi Sgarbozza|ITA}} | Max Meyer |style="text-align:center"| 118 |
| style="text-align:center"| 6
| {{flagathlete|Italo Zilioli|ITA}} | Filotex |style="text-align:center"| 107 |
| style="text-align:center"| 7
| {{flagathlete|Ugo Colombo|ITA}} | Filotex |style="text-align:center"| 103 |
| style="text-align:center"| 8
| {{flagathlete|Silvano Schiavon|ITA}} | Sanson |style="text-align:center"| 98 |
| style="text-align:center"| 9
| {{flagathlete|Dino Zandegù|ITA}} | Salvarani |style="text-align:center"| 95 |
| style="text-align:center"| 10
| {{flagathlete|Rudi Altig|FRG}} | Salvarani |style="text-align:center"| 90 |
{{columns-end}}
{{columns-start}}
=Neoprofessional classification=
| class="wikitable" |
| Rank
!Name !Team !Time |
|---|
| style="text-align:center"| 1
| {{flagathlete|Primo Mori|ITA}} | Max Meyer |align="right"| {{nowrap|107h 07' 28"}} |
| style="text-align:center"| 2
| {{flagathlete|Davide Boifava|ITA}} | Molteni |align="right"| + 26' 57" |
| style="text-align:center"| 3
| {{flagathlete|Enrico Maggioni|ITA}} | Molteni |align="right"| + 33' 08" |
| style="text-align:center"| 4
| {{flagathlete|Giovanni Cavalcanti|ITA}} | Gris 2000 |align="right"| + 40' 55" |
| style="text-align:center"| 5
| {{flagathlete|Matteo Cravero|ITA}} | Sanson |align="right"| + 46' 42" |
| style="text-align:center"| 6
| {{flagathlete|Marcello Bergamo|ITA}} | Filotex |align="right"| + 48' 01" |
| style="text-align:center"| 7
| {{flagathlete|Oliviero Morotti|ITA}} | Sagit |align="right"| + 1h 01' 54" |
| style="text-align:center"| 8
| {{flagathlete|Giuseppe Scopel|ITA}} | Max Meyer |align="right"| + 1h 25' 46" |
| style="text-align:center"| 9
| {{flagathlete|Arturo Pecchielan|ITA}} | Molteni |align="right"| + 1h 31' 36" |
| style="text-align:center"| 10
| {{flagathlete|Attilio Rota|ITA}} | Sanson |align="right"| + 1h 39' 24" |
{{column}}
=Teams classification=
| class="wikitable" |
| Rank
!Team !Points |
|---|
| style="text-align:center"| 1
| Molteni |align="right"| 4871 |
| style="text-align:center"| 2
| Filotex |align="right"| 3663 |
| style="text-align:center"| 3
| Salvarani |align="right"| 3332 |
| style="text-align:center"| 4
| Faema |align="right"| 3155 |
| style="text-align:center"| 5
| Max Meyer |align="right"| 3128 |
| style="text-align:center"| 6
| Sanson |align="right"| 2248 |
| style="text-align:center"| 7
| Scic |align="right"| 2138 |
| style="text-align:center"| 8
| Eliolona |align="right"| 1114 |
| style="text-align:center"| 9
| G.B.C. |align="right"| 1059 |
| style="text-align:center"| 10
| Germanvox |align="right"| 1039 |
{{commons category}}
{{columns-end}}
References
=Footnotes=
{{reflist|group=N}}
=Citations=
{{reflist|30em}}
=Bibliography=
{{Refbegin}}
- {{cite book |last1=Foot |first1=John |title=Pedalare! Pedalare! |chapter=The Heroic Age |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |year=2011 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eGBRfzR_onUC |isbn=978-1-4088-1755-1 }}
- {{cite book | last = Gallagher | first = Brendan |chapter=Eddy Merckx Rewrites the Record Books (1967–76) | title = Corsa Rosa: A History of the Giro d'Italia | publisher = Bloomsbury | location = London | year = 2017 | isbn = 978-1472918802|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V97oDAAAQBAJ }}
{{Refend}}
{{1969 Super Prestige Pernod}}
{{Giro d'Italia}}
{{Cycling stage recaps|1969 Giro d'Italia|1|12|13|23}}
{{Giro d'Italia general classification winners}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:1969 Giro D'italia}}