Giro d’Italia, nostalgia operation: the Intergiro ranking returns after 19 years

The older ones will remember theIntergiro, that somewhat complicated ranking that animated the intermediate phases of the stages of the Giro d’Italia from 1989 to 2005. Well, the Intergiro returns, albeit in a new guise and with new regulations after 19 years at the Giro d’ Italy. No longer a time classification, as then, but a points classification. And there will not be a jersey to distinguish the leading rider in this special ranking, once indicated by the blue jersey. In recent days, with the publication of the altitudes of the stages, a green I marked at the intermediate point of the stages caught the eye. The first, for example, will have its Intergiro finish line in Turin, in Corso Moncalieri.

The new Intergiro

An Intergiro finish line for each stage with the exception of the time trials will award the first three classified with bonuses of 3″ – 2″ – 1″ valid for the general classification and the first eight classified with points 12 – 8 – 6 – 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 valid for the General Points classification. Furthermore, by assigning the same points, a final daily and general classification called “Intergiro” will be established. The Intergiro finish line will be sponsored by Sara Assicurazioni. The winner will be awarded a cash prize, a course of safe driving and a trophy, specially made for the occasion, in the shape of a flower, like the company logo.

A bit of history

He invented it in 1989 Carmine Castellano, then director of the Giro, the Intergiro. At about the halfway point of each stage there was a flying finish line and the times recorded when passing him were valid for this special classification, suitable for escapees. The leader of the Intergiro wore the blue shirt, which has now become a symbol of the Mountain Grand Prix. The first to win the Intergiro was the Yugoslavian (Slovenian by birth) Jure Pavlic.

The record of victories in the Intergiro Ranking belongs to Fabrizio Guidi (three successes). In 1996 the Intergiro was awarded with points. In 1997, Dimitri Konyshev was first in the Intergiro standings from the first to the last stage. The last to win the blue jersey was Stefano Zanini, now sporting director of Astana.