RIOLO TERME – Two days of rain have changed an entire region. Two nights of anguish and fear have torn Emilia Romagna apart with unprecedented flooding that has disrupted the lives of many. Among them is Flavio Zappi and his namesake Racing team located on the Romagna hills, precisely in Riolo Terme, a few steps away from the iconic Gallisterna stadium of the 2020 World Cup. Nine months ago we told you about his academy who had just put down roots in the hotel that would soon become the home of U23 cyclists from all over the world.
In May, the building was submerged in water and mud, like most homes in Romagna. We visited the site. four months after the disaster and, on tiptoe, we asked for the story what happened and how Flavio and his boys were able to roll up their sleeves to start again.
The flood
We were guests of Flavio Zappi in January when, through the story of his dream, he helped us fill the empty rooms of his hotel with plans and an idea that goes beyond what we already know. When this seemed to take shape Here the flood stopped everything in two deafening days of torrential rain.
"It took six days – says Zappi – to remove all the mud from the hotelWe were almost ready to launch our cyclists' café project and had just opened the facility to our first guests. Within hours, everything was destroyed. Water began to surround us, and soon we found ourselves with all the ground-floor rooms flooded and full of mud. My partner Maria Arroyo and I, along with the boys, wasted no time and saved everything we could. taking him upstairs. We were so exhausted that we fell asleep in the office.
"We acted," Flavio continues, "as a real team. The kids were scared, but at the same time, they didn't lose heart and rolled up their sleeves. I didn't want this to traumatize them and interfere with their goal. So after two days we went for a run forgetting what had happened. Likewise, I wanted them to train to continue their journey here at the Academy."
The restart
However, Flavio's words reveal that his character isn't one for self-pity. Some people, after such a tragic event, would rightly say enough is enough, but for him, that phase was never even considered.
«My heart is from Romagna – says Zappi – I believe in the project we started and I never thought of giving up even for a second.We started again as a team, we helped each other and today here we are ready again". Exactly like the empty rooms we saw in January, then filled with mud, today they tell the story of cycling in every square inch. Thanks also to Maria Arroyo, a Colombian born and bred, who lives cycling with passion and takes care of everything for the academy that Flavio doesn't do.
The colors of cycling are on every wall. «We are like a family "—explains Maria Arroyo—the kids come here for a dream and discover that there's so much more. We introduce them to Italian culture and this sport, and we teach them to take care of this facility, contributing however they can."
There are jerseys hanging on the walls with the Zappi logo, painted in the colors of each athlete's nationality. A bookcase with cycling books and then a wall with photos that retrace the entire Zappi team history, from Ben Healy, James Knox, Marc Donovan, Charlie Quarterman and many others.
Maglia white
Along with Zappi there is a gentleman who welcomes us. «He is Marco Groppo – says Zappi smiling – winner of the white jersey of the 1982 Giro d'Italia ahead of a certain Laurent FignonHis son Riccardo raced with us this year and has now chosen to continue his university studies. Marco and I have raced together since we were young, and now he's part of this project, putting his experience to good use."
"I've never seen someone like Flavio work so hard," Groppo says. "He never stops. He asked me to help him with this project, and after my son's experience, I said yes. Having kids from all over the world is something specialTeaching cycling and learning about all the cultures is a blessing. Here in Riolo Terme, we have the ideal environment for them; you can ride gravel, mountain bike, and road on easy, challenging routes.
We're struck by a photo—or rather, the photo itself. Every cycling enthusiast, and not only, has seen it at least once in their lives. The passing of water bottles between Coppi and Bartali.
«Gino himself gave this to me. – Groppo says emotionally – during the party at my house for the '82 white jerseyIt's autographed, and I want it to inspire the kids. One evening, we sat here admiring it with them, trying to solve the mysterious story of that water bottle exchange.
«Kids today know little about the history of this sport. They are too inundated with social media and this world of two wheels that goes by three thousand under constant stress. What I also like about Flavio's project is this: This is a school of life as well as cycling."
The team and the young people
The minutes pass and between one conversation and another Marco and Flavio kiss like kids, perhaps the secret of their passion also comes from here. For 2024 there is a junior team project that will join the U23 teamThe goal will be to provide greater continuity to the academy, teaching cycling here in Italy. Zappi's Racing Team is a union of young people from every corner of the planet.
«At the nationality level – explains Zappi – this year we have two Americans, a Mexican, a strong Colombian, an Irishman, two New Zealanders, an Australian and finally the EnglishEven though with Brexit, the latter are less protected than foreigners who enjoy better sporting visas. Next year, we'll also have a junior team, which will allow us to develop the young players and give them some additional guarantees of continued growth.
«One thing that is close to our hearts – concludes Flavio – is try to teach the values of these sports without letting ambition corrode them insideNot everyone makes it through professionally, and those who don't should not experience it as a defeat. Our goal is to provide everyone with the tools to do so in the healthiest way possible."
The time has come to say goodbye to Flavio and we throw him a provocation: «Maybe the only way to communicate how much good you're doing would be to win...».
Flavio's response was immediate: «Of course, but I always ask those who say that to me how many riders they can say they have brought through to the World Tour. (alluding to Ben Healy, James Knox, Marc Donovan, Charlie Quarterman, ed.)".
