 |
 |
 |
 |
|
85th Giro d'Italia (GT)
Italy, May 11-June 2, 2002
News for May 26, 2002
Edited by Jeff Jones and Anthony Tan
Giro news: Stage 13 wrap up
 |
The 13th stage of the Giro d'Italia saw a morale boosting win from Mexican climber Julio Alberto Perez Cuapio (Panaria). Not just for his embattled team, which was reduced to four riders very early in the race, but also for the Giro itself which has suffered a number of doping scandals in its first 10 days.
Perez Cuapio attacked with Australian Cadel Evans (Mapei) on the steepest section of the final climb to San Giacomo, and the pair opened up a 10 second lead over the chasing group led by Francesco Casagrande, who tried in vain to control the situation. Perez accelerated away from Evans with 1.5 km to go to take the win, with Evans second ahead of a flying Dario Frigo.
Stage 13 full results &
report
Live report
Photos
Post stage comments
Julio Perez Cuapio (Panaria), 1st stage
"I had a very bad start to the Giro, where I was not in condition and I did not have the mental strength.
"The business which affected the team (concerning Varriale) depressed me. I spoke with Reverberi (Panaria directéur-sportif) and I told him that I thought of returning home, but he said to me that I would be fired if I did. So I stayed.
"This victory now gives me courage to finish the Giro.
"Since my victory in Pordoi (in last year's Giro), certain things have changed in my life. I continue to live on the edges of Lake Garda, but not any more with Varriale and the others. I had problems with them and I preferred to move. Even more so now, as I am about to be married to Mara, my Milanese girlfriend.
"In this Giro, I cannot have any hopes for the general classification, but I hope to win another stage that has a mountain-top finish.
"The future? I do not know yet - I was recently contacted by a foreign team, but my preference is to remain in Italy."
