«Stefano will be missed above all because he knew how to work as a team – says Ugo Segnana – and he knew how to involve people with a joke and with his way of doing things. Sometimes he was direct and even irreverent, never taking things that didn't deserve it too seriously. Above all, he had great courage, sometimes bordering on recklessness, but he never made anyone feel bad about taking on all those responsibilities».
Ugo Segnana has been for years the technical soul of the Gold Cup from Borgo Valsugana. This time, the task we've assigned him will force him to tone it down and immerse himself in memories that are half sweet, half painful. It's been a little over a month since death of Stefano Casagranda and this fast pace of time has submerged the days under the many events that have followed one another. Perhaps, however, It's worth stopping for a moment and wondering what Stefano's legacy was for the Coppa d'Oro and the people of Borgo who he managed to involve every year. And Ugo Segnana is the best person to explain it.
What did it mean for Ugo Segnana to have his local rider, the former professional, working towards the Coppa d'Oro?
One crucial thing. I had been coming for years as a sports director, but I had never raced a bike. I played soccer and then I cycled as an amateur. But I've always been passionate about cycling. In the meantime, my brother-in-law had become president of the Fast Club Borgo, then he ran for mayor and at that point we asked Stefano if he was available.
The right solution?
The best that could be done, because Stefano is an exceptional person, the right person in the right place. And when he agreed, I gave him my word which I kept to the end, that I would have been there as long as he was there. Then, over the years, some provincial regulations changed and it became necessary to merge the Coppa d'Oro Association into the Veloce Club Borgo. Stefano is president and I am always by his side. Together we organized the Coppa d'Oro, but also the Settimana Tricolore, the Italian Paralympic Championships, the Youth Meeting, and other events.
The Gold Cup has grown a lot…
Since we were two, with two rather unprejudiced visions, we understood that the event had incredible potential. Starting from the very young with the Golden Cup, we could have intercepted a segment of kids to follow for a good part of their careerFrom there, we started thinking. We extended the Coppa Piccola to two days, because the numbers required it. Then we expanded the Coppa Rosa and thought about making the Coppa di Sera an important event. At first, we held single races, then we split them into two. Practically everyone, from the very young to the juniors, passes through here. It's a cycling celebration, a celebration of youth cycling: the real thing. What remains anchored to countries, to local realities, to the societies that bring children to run as children.
Stefano, a former rider, felt immediately at ease?
Stefano – Segnana smiles – was the kindest person I have ever known. Good at heart, you can't say anything about him.He was always very ironic, he never took himself too seriously. We called him "Champion" because he was the town champion, he had won the Italian youth championship, he had raced professionally, and he had even achieved some good results. But he was ironic about this, he didn't impose any detachment.He was the same with everyone, both in private and in public. We never felt he was unapproachable. He always put himself on the same level as others: were those who dedicated five minutes like those who worked all year for the Veloce Club Borgo.
How did you divide the tasks?
I took care of all the technical part, He kept the team together and that was the key part for me.It kept us going for a long time, it made us get along and achieve great results.
Has the Gold Cup always been a nationwide event?
Since 1968, the Coppa d'Oro has had its permanent home in Borgo Valsugana. Over the years, it has always been led by important figures, until it made the various leaps in quality that led it to become one of the most prestigious events in the world. at the current level. It has always been an unmissable event for the country. There were demonstrations all week long. Shows in the square, fireworks, the big parade. Over the years, major investments had been made, which we inherited and tried to keep alive. I don't hide the fact that there were also moments of tiredness, There were times when it didn't seem like there was much interest. We always had a hard time getting funding, so we invented a lot of things to try to shake things up.
Do you think there is awareness of the level reached?
Perhaps not everyone has understood that this is about something totally different from what is around Italy or EuropeIt's truly unique: even those from abroad have told us so. The English and Slovenians who have seen it grow and change. Even the Germans, especially the girls, who appreciate it because it's one of a kind.
Stefano remained at the helm as long as he had the strength.
We talked about it with him too, from the first moment he told me he was sick. I understood that he would never take a step back, unless he was forced by medical impediments. What always struck me and left a mark on my heart was his determination and devotion to life. He always said: "I want to live, as long as I can. Then when I can't take it anymore, then I'll stop." This is the example he left to everyone, attachment to life and the desire to live.
A great example…
You are struck by the great strength he had. Until you're in the middle of it, you don't understandThose who have lived through difficult experiences understand even more what his immense strength was. Moreover, he was an incredible athlete: very few people could have physically endured what he went through.
Why did you decide to leave the company after Casagranda's death?
In December Stefano had asked the board to take a step back, because he realized the treatment was no longer viable. I said there would be municipal elections this year and I would put together a list with my brother-in-law. I couldn't take on any other commitments, so I suggested to the board that they seek other resources and that I would stay on to collaborate, if necessary. Instead, no one came forward and the presidency remained with StefanoIn any case, in the last edition I continued to take care of registrations, company management, authorizations, requests for road closures and everything I usually did. Then when the new management took over, I felt that I was no longer welcome, or perhaps even a nuisance. And this persuaded me to take a further step back. Today I wouldn't be at peace or convinced I could pursue other commitments. But I repeat: time can provide other answers, and if there are other projects or other teams or other desires, then obviously we can always discuss them.
Stefano Casagranda's legacy is a huge treasure chest full of wisdom, empathy, irony, sharing, ability to unite and recognize the merit of anyone who spends himself, regardless of the level of commitmentA true champion is one who thanks equally the domestique who helped him win and the masseur who enabled him to do so. His death deprived the Veloce Club Borgo of a charismatic figurehead who will be difficult to replace. Giovannina Collanega took over the management of the company at the end of October, who in one of the first meetings said he wanted to follow Casagranda's line. It's a shame, however, that the Coppa d'Oro is being lost to Ugo Segnana, the man who shared miles, conversations, projects, thoughts, and dreams with Stefano.
