1991 Giro d'Italia

{{main list|List of teams and cyclists in the 1991 Giro d'Italia}}

Twenty teams were invited by the race organizers to participate in the 1991 edition of the Giro d'Italia, ten of which were based outside of Italy.{{cite news |url=https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1991/05/24/page_034.pdf |title=C'è anche il piccolo San Marino |language=it |date=24 May 1991 |page=34 |newspaper=l'Unità |publisher=PCI |access-date=22 June 2012 |format=PDF |trans-title=There is also the small San Marino |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518172701/https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1991/05/24/page_034.pdf |archive-date=18 May 2020 }} Each team sent a squad of nine riders, which meant that the race started with a peloton of 180 cyclists. Italy (84), Spain (30), and France (18) all had more than 10 riders.{{cite web|title=Giro d'Italia – 1991 Riders per nation|url=https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/giro-d-italia/1991/gc/startlist/riders-per-nation|website=ProCyclingStats|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505033246/https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/giro-d-italia/1991/gc/startlist/riders-per-nation|archive-date=5 May 2020|access-date=13 October 2016}} Of these, 76 were riding the Giro d'Italia for the first time.{{cite web|title=Giro d'Italia – 1991 Debutants|url=https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/giro-d-italia/1991/gc/startlist/debutants|website=ProCyclingStats|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505033608/https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/giro-d-italia/1991/gc/startlist/debutants|archive-date=5 May 2020|access-date=13 October 2016}} The average age of riders was 27.03 years,{{cite web|title=Giro d'Italia – 1991 Peloton averages|url=https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/giro-d-italia/1991/gc/startlist/general-peloton-averages|website=ProCyclingStats|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505033652/https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/giro-d-italia/1991/gc/startlist/general-peloton-averages|archive-date=5 May 2020|access-date=13 October 2016}} ranging from 22–year–old Eleuterio Anguita ({{UCI team code|Seur|1991}}) to 36–year–old Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle ({{UCI team code|GAN|1991}}).{{cite web|title=Giro d'Italia – 1991 Oldest competitors|url=https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/giro-d-italia/1991/gc/startlist/oldest-competitors|website=ProCyclingStats|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505033842/https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/giro-d-italia/1991/gc/startlist/oldest-competitors|archive-date=5 May 2020|access-date=13 October 2016}} The team with the youngest average rider age was {{UCI team code|ZGM|1991}} (25), while the oldest was {{UCI team code|GAN|1991}} (28).{{cite web|title=Giro d'Italia – 1991 Average team age|url=https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/giro-d-italia/1991/gc/startlist/average-team-age|website=ProCyclingStats|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505034117/https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/giro-d-italia/1991/gc/startlist/average-team-age|archive-date=5 May 2020|access-date=13 October 2016}} The presentation of the teams – where each team's roster and manager were introduced in front the media and local dignitaries – took place on 25 May.{{cite news |url=https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1991/05/24/page_036.pdf |title=Così da Olbia a Milano |language=it |date=24 May 1991 |page=36 |newspaper=l'Unità |publisher=PCI |access-date=22 June 2012 |format=PDF |trans-title=So from Olbia to Milan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518172822/https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1991/05/24/page_036.pdf |archive-date=18 May 2020}} From the riders that began the race, 133 made it to the finish in Milan.{{cite web|url=http://bikeraceinfo.com/giro/giro1991.html |title=1991 Giro d'Italia |work= Bike Race Info |publisher=Dog Ear Publishing |last1=McGann |first1=Bill |last2=McGann |first2=Carol|access-date=13 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225040828/http://bikeraceinfo.com/giro/giro1991.html|archive-date=25 December 2014|url-status=live}}

The teams entering the race were:{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/05/26/MD19910526-053.pdf|title=Los 199 dorsales|language=es|date=26 May 1991|page=53|newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title=The 199 lats|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508000719/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/05/26/MD19910526-053.pdf|archive-date=8 May 2015|url-status=live}}

The starting peloton did include the previous year's winner Gianni Bugno.{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/1991/05/26/deportes/675208806_850215.html|title=Comienza el Giro mas montañoso de los últimos tiempos|newspaper= El País|author=Paolo Viberti|trans-title=Begins the most mountainous Giro in recent times|language=es|date=26 May 1991|access-date=27 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505051806/http://elpais.com/diario/1991/05/26/deportes/675208806_850215.html|archive-date=5 May 2015|url-status=live}} Claudio Chiappucci was believed to be in great form coming into the race. According to Paolo Viberti of El País, Bugno came in as the odds on favorite to win the race. Going into the race, it was widely believed that the winner would be either Chiappucci or Bugno.{{cite news|author=Eugenio Capodacqua|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1991/05/25/lemond-alla-ricerca-del-guastafeste.html|title=La Montagna Della Verita'|language=it|date=25 May 1991|newspaper=La Repubblica|publisher=Gruppo Editoriale L'Espresso|access-date=27 May 2012|trans-title=The Mountain of Truth}}{{cite news|url=http://doc.rero.ch/record/111350/files/1991-05-25.pdf|title=Une battaile entre Italiens|trans-title=A fight between Italians|language=fr|work=L'Impartial|date=25 May 1991|page=11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027073945/http://doc.rero.ch/record/111350/files/1991-05-25.pdf|archive-date=27 October 2019|via=RERO}} Despite being favored to win the race, Bugno entered the race with no victories to his name that season.{{cite news|author=Gianni Ranieri|url=http://www.archiviolastampa.it/component/option,com_lastampa/task,search/mod,libera/action,viewer/Itemid,3/page,33/articleid,0868_01_1991_0115_0035_12153372/|title=Bugno e Chiappucci, italiani contro|language=it|date=26 May 1991|page=33|newspaper=La Stampa|publisher=Editrice La Stampa|access-date=27 May 2012|trans-title=Bugno and Chiappucci, against Italians}} American Greg LeMond told the press he planned to be more competitive at this Giro than he had in years past. Other favorites to win the race were Laurent Fignon, Pedro Delgado, and Marino Lejarreta.{{cite news|url=http://streaming.ajgirona.org/pandora/cgi-bin/Pandora.exe?xslt=show_pdf;publication=Avui;sort_publication=avui;day=26;month=05;year=1991;page=028;id=0002474603;filename=19910526;collection=pages;url_high=pages/Avui/1991/199105/19910526/19910526028.pdf;lang=ca;pdf_parameters=search=%22giro%22&view=FitH;encoding=utf-8|title=El Giro comenca amb el rumor d'un possible fitxatge de Delgado pel Seur|language=ca|date=26 May 1991|page=28|newspaper=Avui|publisher=Hermes Comunicacions S.A.|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title=The Giro begins with the rumor of a possible signing by Delgado Seur|archive-date=4 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704185454/http://streaming.ajgirona.org/pandora/cgi-bin/Pandora.exe?xslt=show_pdf%3Bpublication%3DAvui%3Bsort_publication%3Davui%3Bday%3D26%3Bmonth%3D05%3Byear%3D1991%3Bpage%3D028%3Bid%3D0002474603%3Bfilename%3D19910526%3Bcollection%3Dpages%3Burl_high%3Dpages%2FAvui%2F1991%2F199105%2F19910526%2F19910526028.pdf%3Blang%3Dca%3Bpdf_parameters%3Dsearch%3D%22giro%22&view=FitH%3Bencoding%3Dutf-8|url-status=dead}} Mario Cipollini, despite a poor showing that Tour de Romandie, was viewed as the sprinter to watch for the estimated ten stages that could result in a bunch sprint. Notable absences included 1988 winner Andrew Hampsten, Dutch rider Erik Breukink, and Maurizio Fondriest.

File:Panorama sestriere (1135308229).jpg and finished in the mountainous village Sestriere (pictured).|alt=A mountain in the distance.]]

The route for the 1991 edition of the Giro d'Italia was revealed to the public on television by head organizer Vincenzo Torriani, on 1 December 1990.{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1990/12/03/MD19901203-080.pdf |title=Un giro para escaladores |language=es |date=3 December 1990 |page=80 |newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012 |format=PDF |trans-title=A Tour for climbers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714192553/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1990/12/03/MD19901203-080.pdf |archive-date=14 July 2014 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1990/12/01/page_027.pdf |title=Prenderà anche il traghetto il prossimo Giro d'Italia |language=it |date=1 December 1990 |page=27 |newspaper=l'Unità |publisher=PCI |access-date=22 June 2012 |format=PDF |trans-title=He will take the ferry the next Tour of Italy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518173013/https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1990/12/01/page_027.pdf |archive-date=18 May 2020 }}{{cite news |author=Dario Ceccarelli |url=https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1990/12/02/page_030.pdf |title=Il Giro che fa venire le vertigini |language=it |date=2 December 1990 |page=30 |newspaper=l'Unità |publisher=PCI |access-date=22 June 2012 |format=PDF |trans-title=The Tour that makes you dizzy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518173117/https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1990/12/02/page_030.pdf |archive-date=18 May 2020 }} It contained three time trial events, all of which were individual. There were twelve stages containing thirty-nine categorized climbs, of which five had summit finishes: stage 12, to Monviso;{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/07/MD19910607-042.pdf |title=La etapa de hoy |language=es |date=7 June 1991 |page=42 |newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012 |format=PDF |trans-title=Today's stage |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714153334/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/07/MD19910607-042.pdf |archive-date=14 July 2014 |url-status=live }} stage 13, to Sestriere;{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/08/MD19910608-045.pdf |title=La etapa de hoy |language=es |date=8 June 1991 |page=45 |newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012 |format=PDF |trans-title=Today's stage |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714184534/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/08/MD19910608-045.pdf |archive-date=14 July 2014 |url-status=live }} stage 15, to Aprica;{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/10/MD19910610-063.pdf |title=La etapa de hoy |language=es |date=10 June 1991 |page=63 |newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012 |format=PDF |trans-title=Today's stage |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714170151/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/10/MD19910610-063.pdf |archive-date=14 July 2014 |url-status=live }} stage 16, to Selva di Val Gardena;{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/11/MD19910611-043.pdf |title=La etapa de hoy |language=es |date=11 June 1991 |page=43 |newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012 |format=PDF |trans-title=Today's stage |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714193032/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/11/MD19910611-043.pdf |archive-date=14 July 2014 |url-status=live }} and stage 17, to Passo Pordoi.{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/12/MD19910612-045.pdf |title=La etapa de hoy |language=es |date=12 June 1991 |page=45 |newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012 |format=PDF |trans-title=Today's stage |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714192833/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/12/MD19910612-045.pdf |archive-date=14 July 2014 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1991/05/24/page_036.pdf |title=39 vette dopo piccole e grandi salite |language=it |date=24 May 1991 |page=36 |newspaper=l'Unità |publisher=PCI |access-date=22 June 2012 |format=PDF |trans-title=39 peaks after small and big climbs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518172822/https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1991/05/24/page_036.pdf |archive-date=18 May 2020}} The organizers chose to include one rest day, which was used to transfer the riders from Cagliari to Sorrento. When compared to the previous year's race, the race was {{convert|265|km|0|abbr=on}} shorter, contained one more rest day, and the same number of individual time trials and split-stages. The race covered {{convert|120|km|0|abbr=on}} in time trail stages. In addition, this race contained one more stage. The race started on the island of Sardinia for the first time in race history and stayed on the island for three days of racing.

Capodacqua of La Repubblica believed that the route favored a rider that could defend well and put in a good time during the uphill time trial. La Stampa writer Gianni Ranieri felt the two non-uphill time trials would favor Gianni Bugno, while the up-hill time trial could be a place where Claudio Chiappucci could gain time on the field. Pedro Delgado believed the race to be tougher than the Tour de France that same year. The Cima Coppi – the highest point in altitude the race reached – was scheduled to be the Stelvio Pass, but the pass was scrapped from the race and the Passo Pordoi – the next highest mountain – became the new Cima Coppi. The queen stage was thought to be twelfth leg from Savona to Pian del Re as the final climb was {{convert|18.5|km|0|abbr=on}} at an average gradient of 7.5%. The Pordoi Pass in the seventeenth stage was the highest climb and was crossed twice. A writer for l'Impartial wrote that shorter stages might contain more attacks and general classification impact, specifically the writer stated that the fifteenth stage would be an important stage as it climbed the Mortirolo Pass from the harder side, from Valteline.

File:Casado (cropped).jpg shown after being presented with the race leader's maglia rosa ({{langx|en|pink jersey}}) from winning the race's opening leg]]

During the first stage, Alberto Leanizbarrutia attacked on his own and led the race for {{convert|150|km|0|abbr=on}} before being caught by the chasing peloton within the final ten kilometers.{{cite news|url=http://streaming.ajgirona.org/pandora/cgi-bin/Pandora.exe?xslt=show_pdf;publication=Avui;sort_publication=avui;day=27;month=05;year=1991;page=055;id=0002474714;filename=19910527;collection=pages;url_high=pages/Avui/1991/199105/19910527/19910527055.pdf;lang=en;pdf_parameters=search=%22giro%20d%27italia%22&view=FitH;encoding=utf-8|title=Leanizbarrutia no pot culminar una escapada del 150km al Giro|language=ca|date=27 May 1991|page=11|newspaper=Avui|publisher=Hermes Comunicacions S.A.|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title=Leanizbarrutia can not finish a trip of 150km Giro|archive-date=4 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704193643/http://streaming.ajgirona.org/pandora/cgi-bin/Pandora.exe?xslt=show_pdf%3Bpublication%3DAvui%3Bsort_publication%3Davui%3Bday%3D27%3Bmonth%3D05%3Byear%3D1991%3Bpage%3D055%3Bid%3D0002474714%3Bfilename%3D19910527%3Bcollection%3Dpages%3Burl_high%3Dpages%2FAvui%2F1991%2F199105%2F19910527%2F19910527055.pdf%3Blang%3Den%3Bpdf_parameters%3Dsearch%3D%22giro%20d%27italia%22&view=FitH%3Bencoding%3Dutf-8|url-status=dead}} It then came down to a bunch sprint finish that was so close that it required a photo to determine the winner, Philippe Casado.{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/05/27/MD19910527-054.pdf|title=Maratoniano Leanitzbarrutia|language=es|date=27 May 1991|page=54|newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title=Marathon Leanitzbarrutia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506014951/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/05/27/MD19910527-054.pdf|archive-date=6 May 2015|url-status=live}} The next day of racing consisted of a mass-start stage in the morning and an individual time trial in the afternoon.{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/1991/05/28/deportes/675381602_850215.html|title=Lejarreta, segundo, en la primera contrarreloj|newspaper= El País|author=Paolo Viberti|trans-title=Lejarreta, second, in the first trial|language=es|date=28 May 1991|access-date=27 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506193031/http://elpais.com/diario/1991/05/28/deportes/675381602_850215.html|archive-date=6 May 2015|url-status=live}} Reigning winner Gianni Bugno won the trans-alpine morning stage ahead of other main contenders. This stage saw the race leader's maglia rosa ({{langx|en|pink jersey}}) switch from Casado to Franco Chioccioli.{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/05/28/MD19910528-038.pdf|title=Marino en la isla de Cerdena|language=es|date=28 May 1991|page=38|newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title=Marino on the island of Sardinia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506015955/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/05/28/MD19910528-038.pdf|archive-date=6 May 2015|url-status=live}} Gianluca Pierobon of ZG Mobili team won the afternoon time trial by five seconds over Spaniard Marino Lejarreta. The following day of racing was the last on the island of Sardinia before the race was transferred to mainland Italy. The day of racing ended with a bunch sprint contested by Adriano Baffi, Mario Cipollini, and Djamolidine Abdoujaparov, of which Cipollini got the best and won.{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/1991/05/29/deportes/675468002_850215.html|title=Cipollini gana al 'print' la tercera etapa del Giro|newspaper= El País|author=Paolo Viberti|trans-title=Cipollini wins the 'print' the third stage of the Giro|language=es|date=29 May 1991|access-date=27 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506194413/http://elpais.com/diario/1991/05/29/deportes/675468002_850215.html|archive-date=6 May 2015|url-status=live}}

The fourth leg of the event consisted of five laps on a set circuit of {{convert|35|km|0|abbr=on}}.{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/1991/05/31/deportes/675640802_850215.html|title=El francés Eric Royer, nuevo líder del Giro tras una escapada|newspaper= El País|author=Paolo Viberti|trans-title=The French Eric Royer, new leader of the Giro after a break|language=es|date=31 May 1991|access-date=27 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506195105/http://elpais.com/diario/1991/05/31/deportes/675640802_850215.html|archive-date=6 May 2015|url-status=live}} The stage saw several attacks on the final lap of the course with most being caught by the peloton. Éric Boyer attacked with fifteen kilometers to go in the stage and was able to establish a solid gap between himself and the peloton. Boyer went on to win the stage by twenty-three seconds over the chasing peloton, gaining enough time to earn the race lead. The following day saw the general classification contenders reach the final climb of the day, Mount Godi, together.{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/1991/06/01/deportes/675727202_850215.html|title=Marino Lejarreta ganó con autoridad la primera etapa selectiva del Giro|newspaper= El País|author=Paolo Viberti|trans-title=Marino Lejarreta won with authority the first selective stage of the Giro|language=es|date=1 June 1991|access-date=27 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507040357/http://elpais.com/diario/1991/06/01/deportes/675727202_850215.html|archive-date=7 May 2015|url-status=live}} Chioccioli attacked on the climb and only Lejarreta was able to mark his move. The two rode to the finish together as Boyer led the group of chasing riders to the finish fifty seconds later. Lejarreta won the stage and Chioccioli regained the race lead.

The sixth day of racing was marred by poor weather. General classification contenders Pedro Delgado and Laurent Fignon lost time due to crashing on the descent of Monte Terminillo, while Greg LeMond lost over two minutes.{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/1991/06/02/deportes/675813603_850215.html|title=Delgado, fignon y Lemond cedieron tiempo tras otra batalla desencadenada en el giro|newspaper= El País|author=Paolo Viberti|trans-title=Delgado, Fignon and Lemond gave time after another battle erupted in the Giro|language=es|date=2 June 1991|access-date=27 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811234559/http://elpais.com/diario/1991/06/02/deportes/675813603_850215.html|archive-date=11 August 2014|url-status=live}} On the final climb of the day, Iñaki Gastón and Leonardo Sierra attacked with eight kilometers to go but were caught by the chasing riders. Gaston attacked again with a kilometer remaining, but was robbed of the stage win as Vladimir Poulnikov overtook him three meters before the finish. Cipollini won the event's seventh leg by means of a field sprint.{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/03/MD19910603-056.pdf|title=Bugno le pidió perdón a Delgado|language=es|date=3 June 1991|page=56|newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title=Bugno apologized to Delgado|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506021232/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/03/MD19910603-056.pdf|archive-date=6 May 2015|url-status=live}}

The following stage saw a group of nine riders form off the front of the peloton with under twenty kilometers remaining.{{cite news|url=http://streaming.ajgirona.org/pandora/cgi-bin/Pandora.exe?xslt=show_pdf;publication=Avui;sort_publication=avui;day=04;month=06;year=1991;page=027;id=0002475142;filename=19910604;collection=pages;url_high=pages/Avui/1991/199106/19910604/19910604027.pdf;lang=en;pdf_parameters=search=%22giro%20d%27italia%22&view=FitH;encoding=utf-8|title=Chioccioli arriba a la seva regió vestit de líder i Cassani venç a la vuitena etapa|language=ca|date=4 June 1991|page=27|author=F. Recuero|newspaper=Avui|publisher=Hermes Comunicacions S.A.|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title=Chioccioli reaches its region and dress Cassani leader in wins eighth stage|archive-date=4 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704203048/http://streaming.ajgirona.org/pandora/cgi-bin/Pandora.exe?xslt=show_pdf%3Bpublication%3DAvui%3Bsort_publication%3Davui%3Bday%3D04%3Bmonth%3D06%3Byear%3D1991%3Bpage%3D027%3Bid%3D0002475142%3Bfilename%3D19910604%3Bcollection%3Dpages%3Burl_high%3Dpages%2FAvui%2F1991%2F199106%2F19910604%2F19910604027.pdf%3Blang%3Den%3Bpdf_parameters%3Dsearch%3D%22giro%20d%27italia%22&view=FitH%3Bencoding%3Dutf-8|url-status=dead}} Despite the best efforts of the chasing peloton, the breakaway group survived and saw Ari-Ceramiche Ariostea's Davide Cassani take the stage by edging out Mario Mantova. Massimo Ghirotto of {{UCI team code|CAR|1991}} team attacked with about fifty kilometers to go in the ninth stage.{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/1991/06/05/deportes/676072816_850215.html|title=Etxabe recupera 54 segundos un día antes de la primera contrarreloj|newspaper= El País|author=Paolo Viberti|trans-title=Etxabe recovers 54 seconds a day before the first trial|language=es|date=5 June 1991|access-date=27 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508022228/http://elpais.com/diario/1991/06/05/deportes/676072816_850215.html|archive-date=8 May 2015|url-status=live}} He rode solo and wound up winning the stage, while the general classification remained largely unchanged. The next stage was a {{convert|43|km|0|abbr=on}} individual time trial that was won by Bugno. He won by margin of eight seconds and moved up into second place overall, a second off the leader Chioccioli.{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/1991/06/06/deportes/676159208_850215.html|title=Lejarreta resistió en la etapa contrareloj que gano el italiano Bug|newspaper= El País|author=Paolo Viberti|trans-title=Lejarreta resisted in the time trial stage which won the Italian Bug|language=es|date=6 June 1991|access-date=27 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508022823/http://elpais.com/diario/1991/06/06/deportes/676159208_850215.html|archive-date=8 May 2015|url-status=live}}

The eleventh stage was contested in rainy conditions on a winding course.{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/07/MD19910607-041.pdf|title=Bugno y Delgado, "in fraganti"|language=es|date=7 June 1991|page=41|newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title=Bugno and Delgado, "red-handed"|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506021818/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/07/MD19910607-041.pdf|archive-date=6 May 2015|url-status=live}} After an unsuccessful breakaway attempt by fifteen riders, Maximilian Sciandri, LeMond, and Michele Coppolillo attacked and formed a group off the front.{{cite news|url=http://streaming.ajgirona.org/pandora/cgi-bin/Pandora.exe?xslt=show_pdf;publication=Avui;sort_publication=avui;day=07;month=06;year=1991;page=031;id=0002475302;filename=19910607;collection=pages;url_high=pages/Avui/1991/199106/19910607/19910607031.pdf;lang=en;pdf_parameters=search=%22giro%20d%27italia%22&view=FitH;encoding=utf-8|title=L'italià Sciandri s'imposa a Lemond a la mateixa línia de meta|language=ca|date=7 June 1991|page=31|author=F. Recuero|newspaper=Avui|publisher=Hermes Comunicacions S.A.|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title=The Italian Sciandri Lemond imposed on the finish line|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508160208/http://streaming.ajgirona.org/pandora/cgi-bin/Pandora.exe?xslt=show_pdf%3Bpublication%3DAvui%3Bsort_publication%3Davui%3Bday%3D07%3Bmonth%3D06%3Byear%3D1991%3Bpage%3D031%3Bid%3D0002475302%3Bfilename%3D19910607%3Bcollection%3Dpages%3Burl_high%3Dpages%2FAvui%2F1991%2F199106%2F19910607%2F19910607031.pdf%3Blang%3Den%3Bpdf_parameters%3Dsearch%3D%22giro%20d%27italia%22&view=FitH%3Bencoding%3Dutf-8|archive-date=8 May 2015|url-status=dead}} Sciandri and LeMond crossed the line in first and second, respectively, while Coppolillo was caught by the peloton in the closing meters of the stage. The next day saw the race's first mountain-top finish, to Monviso.{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/1991/06/08/deportes/676332004_850215.html|title=Lejarreta vuelve a acercarse a la 'maglia' rosa|newspaper= El País|author=Paolo Viberti|trans-title=Lejarreta again approaches the 'jersey' rose|language=es|date=8 June 1991|access-date=27 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508160840/http://elpais.com/diario/1991/06/08/deportes/676332004_850215.html|archive-date=8 May 2015|url-status=live}} The group of main contenders reached the final climb together, with {{UCI team code|GCE|1991}}'s Jean-François Bernard launching the first attack which saw him gain a maximum advantage of around thirty seconds. The next to make a serious effort was Lejarreta, who was followed by Chioccioli, Massimiliano Lelli, and Sierra, who attacked with ten kilometers left in the stage. The trio caught up to Bernard and rode as a group to the finish. Lelli took the stage as Chioccioli defended his lead. Bugno lost almost two minutes during the day.

File:1991 Giro d'Italia Stage 13 Savigliano-Sestriere.jpg during the thirteenth stage that saw the Alpine mountain crossed twice.]]

The thirteenth leg of the race featured two ascents of the Alpine mountain Sestriere, the second of which served as the finish for the day.{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/1991/06/09/deportes/676418402_850215.html|title=Chozas culminó la exhibición española|newspaper= El País|author=Paolo Viberti|trans-title=Chozas completed the Spanish exhibition|language=es|date=9 June 1991|access-date=27 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508164638/http://elpais.com/diario/1991/06/09/deportes/676418402_850215.html|archive-date=8 May 2015|url-status=live}} The day began with a breakaway of twelve

that was caught before the final climb to Sestriere. The first rider to launch a serious attack on the climb was Pedro Delgado, who was quickly followed by Chioccioli, Lejaretta, Eduardo Chozas, and Chiappucci, meanwhile Bugno was unable to follow their wheels. Chozas managed to win the stage as the group of four finish within four seconds of each other. With twenty kilometers to go in the fourteenth leg, Franco Ballerini, Casado, Juan Martínez Oliver, and Brian Peterson formed a breakaway group.{{cite news|author=Gianni Ranieri|url=http://www.archiviolastampa.it/component/option,com_lastampa/task,search/mod,libera/action,viewer/Itemid,3/page,11/articleid,0869_01_1991_0126_0035_12165895/|title=Ballerini-sprint, e oggi c'è Bugno nel mirino|language=it|date=10 June 1991|page=35|newspaper=La Stampa|publisher=Editrice La Stampa|access-date=27 May 2012|trans-title=Ballerini-sprint, and today there Bugno in the viewfinder}} The group managed to stretch out an advantage of almost two minutes as they entered the closing kilometers. Ballerini took the stage victory after he and Casado had managed to distance themselves slightly from the two other breakaway riders. LeMond abandoned the race following the conclusion of the fourteenth stage. The next day, on the ascent of the Mortirolo, race leader Chioccioli attacked and formed a solo attack.{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/1991/06/11/deportes/676591212_850215.html|title=Chioccioli dio el gran golpe en el Giro|newspaper= El País|author=Paolo Viberti|trans-title=Chioccioli made the big hit in the Giro|language=es|date=11 June 1991|access-date=27 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703160238/http://elpais.com/diario/1991/06/11/deportes/676591212_850215.html|archive-date=3 July 2015|url-status=live}} He rode the remaining fifty kilometers on his own to the stage victory, with his lead expanding to at most two minutes thirty seconds. He managed to put over a minute into each of his rivals.

The sixteenth saw no major shifts in the general classification.{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/1991/06/12/deportes/676677610_850215.html|title=Chioccioli aguanta a la 'banda de los cuatro'|newspaper= El País|author=Paolo Viberti|trans-title=Chioccioli hold the 'Gang of Four'|language=es|date=12 June 1991|access-date=27 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703162428/http://elpais.com/diario/1991/06/12/deportes/676677610_850215.html|archive-date=3 July 2015|url-status=live}} The top five riders in the general classification formed a leading group on the final climb but there were no major moves to create time gaps. Lelli took the stage win after ahead of Bugno. The following day was the last in the Dolomites and saw the ascension of five major climbs, including the Cima Coppi Passo Pordoi.{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/1991/06/13/deportes/676764001_850215.html|title=El líder Chioccioli sentencia el Giro con una nueva exhibición de fuerza en la etapa más dura|newspaper= El País|author=Paolo Viberti|trans-title=The sentence Chioccioli Giro leader with a new show of strength in the toughest stage|language=es|date=13 June 1991|access-date=27 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829122548/http://elpais.com/diario/1991/06/13/deportes/676764001_850215.html|archive-date=29 August 2014|url-status=live}} On the second climbing of Pordoi, Chioccioli attacked and rode to the top of the climb to win the stage by thirty-eight seconds. Lejaretta crashed on the day and lost over six and a half minutes, putting him out of contention for the podium and overall victory. Midway through the stage, Fignon abandoned the race. The eighteenth day of racing was a transition stage.{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/1991/06/13/deportes/676764001_850215.html|title=Martinello gana una etapa de transición en el Giro|newspaper= El País|author=Paolo Viberti|trans-title=Martinello wins a transitional stage in Giro|language=es|date=14 June 1991|access-date=27 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820144519/http://elpais.com/diario/1991/06/14/deportes/676850401_850215.html|archive-date=20 August 2014|url-status=live}} Several attempts were made to form a breakaway group before a group of eight were successful in creating a gap. The group was caught with five hundred meters to go by the chasing peloton which was setting up for a field sprint. Silvio Martinello managed to outsprint the likes of Cipollini and Abdoujaparov to win the day.

The nineteenth leg featured only one categorized climb, which Iñaki Gastón won to seal his victory in the mountains classification.{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/1991/06/15/deportes/676936801_850215.html|title=Gastón se aseguró el triunfo en el premio de la montaña del Giro|newspaper= El País|author=Paolo Viberti|trans-title=Gaston secured victory in the mountain prize Giro|language=es|date=15 June 1991|access-date=27 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703192830/http://elpais.com/diario/1991/06/15/deportes/676936801_850215.html|archive-date=3 July 2015|url-status=live}} The stage saw no major time disparities in the general classification contenders as they finished together, with Bugno taking the stage win. The penultimate stage of the race was a {{convert|66|km|0|abbr=on}} individual time trial that contained one un-categorized climb within the route.{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/1991/06/16/deportes/677023201_850215.html|title=Martinello gana una etapa de transición en el Giro|newspaper= El País|author=Paolo Viberti|trans-title=Martinello wins a transitional stage in Giro|language=es|date=16 June 1991|access-date=27 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703193319/http://elpais.com/diario/1991/06/16/deportes/677023201_850215.html|archive-date=3 July 2015|url-status=live}} Race leader Chioccioli took the course and at the first time check at {{convert|15.5|km|0|abbr=on}} he had already put thirty seconds into Bugno. He ended up winning the stage by fifty-seconds over Bugno, thereby extending his lead over the rest of his competitors. The final stage culminated with a bunch sprint that was won by Cipollini.{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/17/MD19910617-047.pdf|title=Franco, Franco, Franco!|language=es|date=June 1991|page=47|newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title=Franco, Franco, Franco!|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714194738/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/17/MD19910617-047.pdf|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=live}} Chioccioli had won the Giro d'Italia for the first time by almost four minutes over the second-place finisher Chiappucci.{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/17/MD19910617-034.pdf |title="Coppino" se convirtió en Chioccioli |language=es |date=17 June 1991 |page=34 |newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012 |format=PDF |trans-title="Coppino" became Chioccioli |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714132836/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/17/MD19910617-034.pdf |archive-date=14 July 2014 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/17/MD19910617-035.pdf |title="Coppino" se convirtió en Chioccioli |language=es |date=17 June 1991 |page=35 |newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012 |format=PDF |trans-title="Coppino" became Chioccioli |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714162542/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/17/MD19910617-035.pdf |archive-date=14 July 2014 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/17/MD19910617-049.pdf |title=Lejarreta: ¡Por fin llegó el relax! |language=es |date=17 June 1991 |page=49 |newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012 |format=PDF |trans-title=Lejarreta: relax finally arrived! |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714132021/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/17/MD19910617-049.pdf |archive-date=14 July 2014 |url-status=live }}

Four riders achieved multiple stage victories: Cipollini (stages 3, 7, and 21),{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/05/29/MD19910529-041.pdf|title=Un bostezo de 231km|language=es|date=May 1991|page=41|newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title=A yawn of 231km}} Bugno (stages 2a, 10, and 19),{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/06/MD19910606-045.pdf|title=Lejarreta, solo cerca del rosa|language=es|date=6 June 1991|page=45|newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title=Lejarreta, only about pink|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506021707/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/06/MD19910606-045.pdf|archive-date=6 May 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/15/MD19910615-048.pdf|title=Gianni Bugno: más vale tarde...|language=es|date=15 June 1991|page=48|newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title=Gianni Bugno: better late ...|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506023059/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/15/MD19910615-048.pdf|archive-date=6 May 2015|url-status=live}} Lelli (stages 12 and 16),{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/08/MD19910608-044.pdf|title=Un Marino que corta el bacalao|language=es|date=8 June 1991|page=44|newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title=A Marine who calls the shots|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506021926/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/08/MD19910608-044.pdf|archive-date=6 May 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/12/MD19910612-044.pdf|title=Chioccioli, cada día más cerca|language=es|date=12 June 1991|page=44|newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title=Chioccioli, each day closer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506022513/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/12/MD19910612-044.pdf|archive-date=6 May 2015|url-status=live}} and Chioccioli (stages 15, 17, and 20).{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/11/MD19910611-042.pdf|title=Chioccioli, a imagen de Merckx|language=es|date=11 June 1991|page=42|newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title=Chioccioli, the image of Merckx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506022424/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/11/MD19910611-042.pdf|archive-date=6 May 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/13/MD19910613-041.pdf|title="Coppino" Chioccioli sentencia|language=es|date=13 June 1991|page=41|newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title="Coppino" Chioccioli sentence|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506022816/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/13/MD19910613-041.pdf|archive-date=6 May 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/16/MD19910616-054.pdf|title=Y dale con Chioccioli!|language=es|date=16 June 1991|page=54|newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title=And give to Chioccioli!|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506023209/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/16/MD19910616-054.pdf|archive-date=6 May 2015|url-status=live}} Stage wins were achieved by eight of the twenty competing squads, six of which won multiple stages. Del Tongo-MG Boys Maglificio collected a total of seven stage wins through three riders, Cipollini, Ballerini (stage 14),{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/10/MD19910610-062.pdf|title=Con la cabeza en los Dolomitas|language=es|date=10 June 1991|page=62|newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title=Head in the Dolomites|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506022308/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/10/MD19910610-062.pdf|archive-date=6 May 2015|url-status=live}} and Chioccioli. Carrera Jeans-Tassoni earned three stage wins through Poulnikov (stage 6),{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/02/MD19910602-052.pdf|title=Frío y lluvia en el Terminillo|language=es|date=2 June 1991|page=52|newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title=Cold and rain in Terminillo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506021128/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/02/MD19910602-052.pdf|archive-date=6 May 2015|url-status=live}} Ghirotto (stage 9),{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/05/MD19910605-046.pdf|title=Todos reservan fuerzas|language=es|date=5 June 1991|page=46|newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title=All reserve forces|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506021601/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/05/MD19910605-046.pdf|archive-date=6 May 2015|url-status=live}} and Sciandri (stage 11). Ari-Ceramiche Ariostea achieved the same feat through Cassani (stage 8) and Lelli.{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/04/MD19910604-050.pdf|title=Greg LeMond arroja la toalla|language=es|date=4 June 1991|page=50|newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title=Greg LeMond throws in the towel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506021318/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/04/MD19910604-050.pdf|archive-date=6 May 2015|url-status=live}} Chateau d'Ax-Gatorade garnered three stage victories through Bugno. Z amassed a total of two stage victories through Casado (stage 1) and Boyer (stage 4).{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/05/31/MD19910531-039.pdf|title=Boyer, victoria de color rosa|language=es|date=May 1991|newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title=Boyer, win pink|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506020539/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/05/31/MD19910531-039.pdf|archive-date=6 May 2015|url-status=live}} ONCE gained two stage victories through Lejaretta (stage 5) and Chozas (stage 13).{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/01/MD19910601-033.pdf|title=Más que Marino, almirante|language=es|date=1 June 1991|page=33|newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title=More than Marino, Admiral|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506021015/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/01/MD19910601-033.pdf|archive-date=6 May 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/09/MD19910609-056.pdf|title=Maravilla de Chozas en los Alpes|language=es|date=9 June 1991|page=56|newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title=Wonder huts in the Alps|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506022212/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/09/MD19910609-056.pdf|archive-date=6 May 2015|url-status=live}} ZG Mobili and Gis Gelati-Ballan each won a single stage at the Giro, the first through Pierobon (stage 2b) and the second through Martinello (stage 18).{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/14/MD19910614-049.pdf|title=El "gafe" de Iñaki Gastón|language=es|date=14 June 1991|page=49|newspaper=El Mundo Deportivo|access-date=27 May 2012|format=PDF|trans-title=The "jinx" Iñaki Gastón|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506022923/http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1991/06/14/MD19910614-049.pdf|archive-date=6 May 2015|url-status=live}}

Five different jerseys were worn during the 1991 Giro d'Italia. The leader of the general classification – calculated by adding the stage finish times of each rider, and allowing time bonuses for the first three finishers on mass-start stages – 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 }} The time bonuses for the 1991 Giro were twelve seconds for first, eight seconds for second, and four seconds for third place on the stage.{{cite news |url=https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1991/05/24/page_036.pdf |title=Numeri e soldi per un ragioniere curvo sul manubrio |language=it |date=24 May 1991 |page=36 |newspaper=l'Unità |publisher=PCI |access-date=22 June 2012 |format=PDF |trans-title=Numbers and money to an accountant curved handlebar |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518172822/https://archivio.unita.news/assets/main/1991/05/24/page_036.pdf |archive-date=18 May 2020}} The winner of the general classification received 1.7 million francs.

File:Passo Pordoi 2007.jpg was the Cima Coppi for the 1991 running of the Giro d'Italia.]]

For the points classification, which awarded a purple (or cyclamen) jersey to its leader, cyclists were given points for finishing a stage in the top 15; additional points could also be won in intermediate sprints. The green jersey was awarded to the mountains classification leader. In this ranking, points were won by reaching the summit of a climb ahead of other cyclists. Each climb was ranked as either first, second or third category, with more points available for higher category climbs. The Cima Coppi, the race's highest point of elevation, awarded more points than the other first category climbs. The Cima Coppi for this Giro was the Passo Pordoi. It was crossed twice by the riders, for the first climbing of the mountain, Italian Franco Vona was the first over the climb, while Franco Chioccioli was first over the second passing. The white jersey was worn by the leader of young rider classification, a ranking decided the same way as the general classification, but only riders born after 1 January 1967 were eligible for it.

The intergiro classification was marked by a blue jersey. The calculation for the intergiro is similar to that of the general classification, in each stage there is a midway point that the riders pass through a point and where their time is stopped. As the race goes on, their times compiled and the person with the lowest time is the leader of the intergiro classification and wears the blue jersey. 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.

The rows in the following table correspond to the jerseys awarded after that stage was run.

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{{Cycling stage recaps|1991 Giro d'Italia|1|10|11|21}}

{{Giro d'Italia general classification winners}}

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Giro d'Italia

Category:Giro d'Italia by year

Category:May 1991 sports events in Europe

Category:June 1991 sports events in Europe