The Lucca–Pisa time trial that riders will face today at the 2025 Giro d’Italia is almost identical to the one that, back in 1977, saw Knut Knudsen take the win with an average speed of 48.5 km/h. This year’s course measures 28.6 km, while 48 years ago it was 25 km. The Norwegian, taking hissecond career Giro stage win (he would go on to win six in total and wear the Maglia Rosa for three days—two in 1975, one in 1981), finished 1’04” ahead of Francesco Moser and 1’40” ahead of Michel Pollentier.
The major headline of that day, however, was the withdrawal of Freddy Maertens from the Giro. Up to thatpoint, the Belgian had been dominating not only the Giro but the entire season. He had arrived at the Corsa Rosa with 61 race days in his legs, and before pulling out – following a crash in a sprint during the Mugello stage – he had already claimed 31 victories that year, 7 of them in thatGiro edition, across just 13 stages (including semi-stages), spending 6 days in the Maglia Rosa. His mind-blowingstats also included 13 stage wins in a single Vuelta a España, a record that still stands for any Grand Tour.
Maertens’ departure opened the door for Francesco Moser, who found himself with an even stronger grip on the pinkjersey after his strong performance in the Lucca–Pisa time trial.
“Let’s see… I knew Pollentier was strong in the time trial, but I also know he climbs well, so he’s starting to worry me, especially now that he doesn’t have to deal with Maertens anymore,” Moser said after the stage. “Actually, I almostgot knocked out myself today: we were still on the walls of Lucca when a dog jumped into the road. I flew past it at 50 km/h, just missing its tail, hoping it wouldn’t move. If it hadbeen a curious dog and turned around, it would’ve takenme down”.
Moser’s concern about Pollentier was justified: the Belgianwould begin to claw back time, eventually taking the Maglia Rosa from Moser on Col Drusciè during Stage 17, and consolidating it in the Binago time trial in Stage 21. Pollentier went on to win the Giro d’Italia in his onlyappearance, while Moser, who finished second overall, earned the first of six career podiums in the Giro.
