SAN GIOVANNI IN MARIGNANO – An "Evening of Great Cycling" in the Rimini hills on the border between Romagna and Marche. The occasion created by Physioradi e Ca' Virginia to meet Italian and international champions, to reward them in the name of the bike.PRO Challenge. Now in its third edition, this year the winner 3D printed tricolour jersey from Morpheus Gadget it could only be Simone Velasco.
The Bolognese from Elba Island was in fact awarded for his season and for the victory conquered in Comano Terme (Trento). On stage, Simone responded with great pride and a smile that will stay with him for 365 days. Having almost reached the halfway point, we asked for a his assessment of the end of his season in the Italian national team and his ambitions for 2024.
Small rebirth
For Velasco, 2023 was a turning point. There were “only” two victories, but the significance of what earned him the Italian national team jersey certainly stirred some awareness in him. Perhaps it was based on the past, when professionalism was just a dream.
«I gave signs of strength and class – explains Velasco – in flashes I was no longer what I once was, when as a junior or amateur I had my continuity and was always at the topSince I won the tricolor jersey I have rediscovered this desire and it was evident throughout the second part of the season. This gives me hope for 2024.It's definitely a boost of confidence and motivation.
«This 2023 – he says – ended with a “blow” to the Veneto Classic which left me with some trauma and residue. Anyway, we resumed our preparations normally. We are now preparing for 2024 as best we can and we hope it will be another good year. Having had the facial injury in the dental area and being a very delicate point, it could also compromise part of the winter. However, in a few days I recovered, a few stitches but fortunately we were already resting and it didn't compromise me at all."
Burdens and honors
Cycling has always been a democratic and equal sport. Likewise, every year, national champion jerseys are awarded to the cyclist who will represent that nation on the roads of the world for a year. A responsibility that brings both burdens and honors, and Simone has already learned this.
«There aren't many of them – says Velasco – who can say they won the tricolor jerseyWhen you represent your country for a whole year and along all the roads of the world, then you remain in the pages of history forever. So it is It's an honor for me to wear the Italian champion's jerseyIt gives you that push to give even a little more and always do the best you can.
"It's definitely hard to rest," Simone says, "but at the same time, it's great to be at these events. Until a few hours ago, I was in a completely different part of Italy; I raced to be here. I am pleased to take part in this evening and I think it is also my duty to be present for those who want to reward and pay homage to you. with passion and smiles. I always see so many young people, and it's important to do these things for them too."
The cherry on top
Having gone up on stage to collect the award and to put his shirts (forgotten at home, ed.) up for grabs in the evening's lottery, Velasco turns to Filippo Zana who sits at the same table as him: «I would like to do like Filippo and maybe win the Giro wearing the Italian national jersey.. It would be the icing on the cake."
A dream that fuels fans' dreams and could be an achievable goal that can be replicated on multiple occasions, not just at the Giro. It's a way to motivate oneself for 2024 by raising the bar and setting even more ambitious standards, ones that Simone may have been missing for a while.
«The preparation for 2024 – concludes Velasco – remains more or less the same. It is certain that Let's try to give ourselves a few less moments of relaxation because the years go by for me tooSo every year we have to do a little more and implement what concerns performance, but we're not going to completely overturn anything. What we'll do is focus the program on some important events. Like the early season classics like Milan-Sanremo and perhaps the Giro d'Italia in the future, then we'll see."
Great cycling
Over 200 participants, enthusiasts and practitioners also applauded the other champions present during the evening: Filippo Zana, Rachele Barbieri, Filippo Baroncini and Giovanni Carboni. Once on stage, they shared their stories. Zana, who last year won the Challenge bici.PRO tricolor jersey, completed a season at the top on several occasions. The victories at Line of Business and that of Slovenia above allBarbieri, however, explained with an open heart his temporary farewell to the track that has told to us too a few days ago. Baroncini, has relaunched on the classics and on the desire to be the protagonist with the shirt of UAE Emirates. Finally Carboni, who received the hall's good luck wishes for the team search for 2024.
There were many guests, from the youngest cyclists to the honorary ones. Among those who certainly brought a smile to the faces were the three Eurosport commentators. Luca Gregorio and Moreno Moser, from the stage, video-called the convalescent Riccardo Magrini who is on the mend, but always smiling and with a ready joke. An "Evening of Great Cycling" led by voice of Ivan Cecchini and the interventions of Maurizio Radi of Fisioradi and Giacomo Rossi of Ca' Virginia.
