Between the 1990s and the beginning of the new millennium, the Giro del Piemonte underwent a period of profound change. After its early years firmly rooted in Alessandria and the subsequent Turin era, the organisers began to explore Piedmont roads more freely. In 2000, the race was cancelled because of the devastating floods that struck the region, while in 2007 financial difficulties prevented the race from taking place at all.
Despite these interruptions and transformations, the race’s roll of honour continued to welcome prestigious names: from Franco Ballerini, winner in 1990, to Andrea Tafi, who took victory in 1999, and Daniele Bennati, who triumphed in both 2006 and 2008.
2001: Peloton disqualified, breakaway takes the honours
The 2001 edition of the Giro del Piemonte was a remarkable one for a number of reasons. That year, the race ventured beyond its traditional heartlands: it started in Novara and finished in Domodossola, in the heart of northern Piedmont. After just 17 kilometres, a group of 17 riders broke away. The peloton underestimated the move and allowed the gap to grow, first to more than twelve minutes and then to an astonishing eighteen. By then, there was no way back: the fugitives were left to fight for victory, with Belgium’s Nico Mattan winning the sprint ahead of Fabio Sacchi and Matthé Pronk.
The most memorable detail, however, was still to come. Before the final circuit, race director Carmine Castellano decided to stop and disqualify the entire peloton, which by then was hopelessly far behind. Of the 180 riders who had started the race, only the 17 members of the breakaway officially reached the finish line. A one-day classic turned into a massive elimination race.
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