"All's well that ends well," went a Shakespearean comedy. And a quick recap of the previous episodes is all there is to it. Last December we were left with the quarrel broke out at the Coppa di Sera a year ago which brought both the Veloce Club Borgo, the organizing company, and the UC Sangiulianese, whose registration had been rejected, to the Federal Prosecutor's Office. Nine months later, common sense has given birth to the most appropriate solution: the men's and women's debutants' races remain in the intense context of the Gold Cup.
Mediation found
«The matter was resolved for the best – he explains Stefano Casagranda, president of the Veloce Club Borgo – and for the sake of the kids. We would have been sorry not to let the rookies race, but we initially made this decision after everything that had happened. We finally came to a conclusion. In March, they wanted to fine us, but it never arrived. I must say that the Cycling Federation has been very accommodating, and I thank them for that.They also wanted the Coppa di Sera to be there, the competition for beginners."
«We found a sort of mediation – continues the former pro of the nineties and two thousand – The FCI has allowed us to bring forward registrations through the K Factor to June.This way, groups coming from further away have time to find accommodations. And we've also cleaned up the chaos that used to arise in the pre-registration emails. It was normal for there to be mix-ups every year, Ours is a difficult event to organize. But now everything is ready for this weekend. (The competitions for male and female beginners and students will take place on 7 and 8 September, ed.)».
Record numbers
In light of the whole issue, one might say that "the important thing is that we talk about it." The Coppa d'Oro—and consequently all its versions in their respective categories—represents an event recognized by all, in which everyone, athletes and clubs, aspire to participate.
"Even though our race was at the center of this controversial case," Casagranda said with great surprise, "we've had unprecedented requests. While we maintain the limit of 200 starters for beginners, We had 700 students enrolled. I didn't even think there were so many in Italy. (smiles, ed.) Now, between one cancellation and another, which is more than understandable because not all teams are able to bring all the athletes, we're down to 550, which is still a very high number. Naturally, we'll be starting with an exemption, as always.
«Already last weekend – he continues – We had a huge success with the Coppa d'Oro, the race reserved for the very young. 1470 people ran, our record.Everything went well, even the weather. We set everything up in our spare time, and seeing all this participation is the greatest satisfaction for us."
International Cup
The beauty of these competitions is always the roll of honour that can be looked at again and again after many years. The names of the best young people of the period are foundSome who lost their way and found their way again, others who gave up, and still others who confirmed their talent in subsequent years. The best of youth cycling, both Italian and foreign, passes through Borgo Valsugana and its Coppa.
«This year among the students – concludes Stefano Casagranda – we will have two Slovenian teams and the British one who returns to us after Max Poole's victory in 2019, who races with DSM and is now a key player in the Vuelta. Maybe there should be two Danish teams, but we're already looking ahead to 2025. I was contacted by an Italian-American who raced in the Coppa d'Oro many years ago. He is now training students in the Los Angeles area and they are already making plans to come to us next year.It would be wonderful, we look forward to seeing them. But There is no shortage of foreign participation in the Pink Cup eitherFor example, in 2016 the winner was Franziska Koch, who also races in the DSM and is the current German champion."
"During the season, we organize other youth races, but we always stay within the standard numbers. It's true that we have many exemptions from the Cycling Federation, but for our Cups, we also pursue our own ideal. That is, organize an event for kids outside of the normal context and make them feel important for a day., as only happens for the Italian championship." Because the Coppa d'Oro is not an event like the others and perhaps that was precisely the reason why the most appropriate solution was reached.
