Let's go talk about that famous coffee at Melinda Trophy, in 1992, protagonists Alfred Martini on the one hand and Gianni ashlar On the other hand. Looking back, the former world champion is keen to give a slightly different interpretation to an event that has become shrouded in legend over time, knowing however that it is a starting point for a broader discussion: «That year I didn't win, but I was still third in the Dauphiné, second in the Tour de Suisse, third in the TourWith results like that, you're going to the World Cup as captain today..."
What did Martini tell you then?
It was a simple chat, he didn't ask me if I wanted to go to the World Cup, because I could participate independently as the defending champion, nor did he give me a specific role. I was an extra man, free to run my own race. He gave me peace of mind, which was what I needed.
Let's project that situation into the present day, where Nibali is still undecided about whether to participate in the Olympics...
Nibali is an intelligent person before being a great rider and if he feels he can race Tokyo, he has to go. No one can judge how things are going., the results he gets or anything else: the only one who can say if he is capable of running is himself.
Cassani seems reluctant to call him up, seen the last Giro d'Italia…
Davide is my friend and I respect him, but on this I want to be very clear: neither he, nor the Federation, Nobody can tell a rider like Nibali what to do, Vincenzo himself will make the wisest decision, because he knows exactly how he is and how he will be. I'd like to remind everyone that he started with a recently broken wrist, yet he finished the Giro and I'm convinced his condition is improving; this is a factor that shouldn't be overlooked.
What role do you think it could have?
We assume that the Olympics is a strange race, with principles that are different from any other cycling race. First of all, with only 5 riders at most you can't control it, then Many riders take part and after a quarter of the race you can't find them anymore because they aren't even professionals, thirdly, the fact is that three of them win, not just one, because a bronze medal has enormous value, superior to almost all other overall victories.
Ok, but back to Nibali?
In a race like this, Nibali attracts a man from every other leading national team., remains an absolute benchmark. No one has the same characteristics as him, in terms of endurance but also creativity, to bring home a result. Strategically, he would also be of considerable importance.
Do you regret never having been able to run in the Olympics?
A lot, but at that time they were still run by amateurs. In '92, for example, the late CasartelliI could have participated in '96, but they said I wasn't right for that Atlanta course, they said it was too easy when in the end it wasn't easy and three classics specialists emerged (Richard, Sciandri e sorensen, ed.) I am convinced that I could have had my say, I won't deny that I was a little disappointed with Martini...
Some time ago, Bettini said he'd give up a world title even for a single Olympic bronze. Would you do that?
Good question… I've never been to the Olympics, so I don't know the sensations you experience in that particular context. Let's say that in return… I could give the world bronze of '90, is that okay anyway?…
