FROM THE CW ARCHIVES: THE 1987 GIRO D'ITALIA

Mark Cavendish became the first British rider to win a stage of the Giro d?Italia since Scotland?s finest climber, Robert Millar, in 1987.

This edition of Cycling Weekly Classic, a series that looks back through the archives of Britain?s longest-running cycling magazine, looks back at that epic Giro.

We faithfully reproduce Cycling Weekly?s reports from the spring of 1987, when Stephen Roche fought not only the entire Giro d?Italia field but also his own Carrera team-mate Roberto Visentini, the defending champion and home favourite who took exception to an Irishman trying to win his home tour.

Giro 1987: Stephen Roche. Photo: Offside/L'Equipe

Roche triumphed to set up a remarkable triple crown that saw him go on to win the Tour de France and World Championship road race later that summer.

Millar, riding for Panasonic, finished second overall, which remains the finest performance by any British rider in the Giro.

With thanks to Jack Haining for collating this information

1987 GIRO D?ITALIA LINKS

Giro 87: Main page

Giro 87: Opening weekend, Roche takes the pink jersey

Giro 87: Week one, Roche still in control

Giro 87: Week two, War in the Carrera team

Giro 87: Week three, Roche clinches it

RELATED LINK

The Big Interview: Stephen Roche

PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF CYCLING WEEKLY CLASSIC

Barry Hoban wins the 1974 Ghent-Wevelgem

How Malcolm Elliott got worked over at the 1987 Amstel Gold Race