CAMERINO (MC) – He's the only one who doesn't need directions to get back to the bus. Among the alleys of Camerino, he's truly at home. We feature Giulio Pellizzari, disheartened, but not too much (and he will explain why later) as he lets his bike slide down the valleyFrom up here, you can only descend. We are alone: the sound of the wheels, his words, our running footsteps to follow him.
The stage went to Isaac Del ToroThe Mexican gave a great demonstration of strength and maturity. He was already the leader of the general classification of the Tirreno-Adriatico. The athlete of UAE Emirates he sealed it all with a stage victory. And all things considered, given the caliber of the athlete and the race, his success is quite fitting.
Damn tendon
Of course, the heart and the cheering were all for Pellizzari. Here were his people, his people, his home, his family, his friends. When he started, the roar in Camerino, goosebump-inducing stuff.
In the end, for a few moments Del Toro He didn't respond to his attack. And we all believed it. It would have been the perfect story: a stage win and maybe even the overall lead on his home turf. But things didn't go that way.
And Pellizzari himself told us: "I'm not disappointed, I don't even know if I lost second place and I'm third," he said as he left the finish line on his bike, "but it doesn't matter. Unfortunately, I've had a tendon problem for a few days now [and he touches his left leg, wrapped in a prominent blue tape, ed.] and this hasn't allowed me to push hard. I already had pain on my left side yesterday, I put more weight on my right side and I got those cramps. If we hadn't reached Camerino today, I probably wouldn't have finished the stage. I was afraid I wouldn't finish. I finished fourth: I didn't expect that."
Pellizzari Heart
This young man's serenity and openness are incredible. As I said at the beginning, yes, he was disheartened, because it's clear you're sorry: you've dreamed of this stage who knows how many times. But then we also added: "just the right amount of disheartened." Because Pellizzari really is like that. Finally, he spoke calmly. Without feeling sorry for himself or with a gloomy expression. Which would have been completely normal. And understandable.
The best part of today was the cheering. So many signs: "Forza Giulio," "Come on, I know," "Make us dream." Or the endless "Forza Pellizzari" signs written on the asphalt. And having fought not only with opponents with this physical problem, only increased the general empathy.
Knowing the roads in this situation becomes even more important. You know you can save half a pedal stroke there. That the road around the bend is that way, and that downhill hairpin bend is less steep than expected, so you can let it flow and save small, precious bits of energy.
«True – says Pellizzari – It was really important to meet them today. It helped me a lot. There were so many people there, and I'm grateful. Fantastic. Did I start too early? No, that was the moment to give it a try. There were so many people cheering me on, and it was my way of saying thank you. Passing the wall in the lead was a thrill.
«But the fact of being like this and still being close to Del Toro it gives me morale", as if to say that the glass is half full.
Honor to the (almost) king
E Del Toro? Isaac only needs the final catwalk to consecrate himself king of the Two Seas. The trident is within his reach. But it's clear that he's the strongest in this race. Today he won by silencing everyone: on tactical errors, a not excessive brilliance and those long reports... which weren't too long today.
Maybe because the climb was really tough. We made it down to get back to the press room and our quadriceps were bursting. Imagine in the race, uphill and after six stages run at crazy speeds. By the way, this morning In San Severino Marche, everyone was talking about the stellar level of this race and the pace that exhausted the entire peloton, if not those 7-8 big names.
«The final climb was very tough – he says Del Toro explaining after arrival – I saw Healy's attack first and then Pellizzari's, but I waited. I know Giulio wanted to win. I know he was very excited. But my job is to win, even if he's a friend. I was focused on my pace and on the final part, because I knew that was the hardest. Then, when we got to the sprint, I gave it my all."
We pressed him, telling him that he seemed to be marking Jorgenson more than Pellizzari today. Perhaps he was also aware of Giulio's tendon problem.
«Of course I was afraid of Jorgenson – replies the athlete of the UAE Team Emirates – but even when Giulio started I couldn't leave him any space, he was still second overall. Jorgenson had shown himself to be strong yesterday, and I didn't want to play with fire. That's why I tried to keep everything under control until the end."
And then he added: "Tirreno already in the bag? Don't make me say anything about the final victory."
Maturity Del Toro
And here that hint of typical Latin superstition emerges. But also the warmth of those who have this DNA. One thing struck us in this sense Del Toro. In mixed zone, man As his companions arrived, he would get up from his stool, leave all the journalists in the lurch and run to the barrier to hug them. Then he returned to interviews with equal alacrity. A true leader. Someone who knows how to make himself loved and who recognizes the importance of the team.
And then the South American media also grew in following the race. Even ESPN, a Latin American giant, got involved. It means the boy is definitely catching on.
«Today I was suddenly left alone - Explains Del Toro - but I was never afraid, nor did I panic. I'm usually calm and I want to show that I'm not an anxious rider. Let's take today's finale: I didn't want to react immediately. I knew that Jan Christen He was close, and in fact he came back. The team had done a great job so far, and today I didn't want to push them too hard. That's why other teams took over the race today. I'm proud of my team and what we've done with the guys. I hope to bring home the blue jersey, especially for them."
