We had it left at the end of the 2020 when, for family reasons, he had said goodbye to the cycling caravan. But for Enrico Pengo, historic mechanic of Lampre and the national team, it was just a goodbyeHe returned to his home in Camisano Vicentino to run the family shop, opened by his father many years ago. Enrico hasn't lost his passion, he was born repairing bikes and doesn't want to stop doing it.Coming back doesn't worry him, like true champions he hasn't lost his edge or technical ability (in the opening photo he is with Damiano Cunego at the 2011 Tirreno-Adriatico).
What year was it?
I would call it a transition year, I took care of my family, especially my dad, who had a difficult year but is better now. I took care of his business, a mechanical workshop, where I learned a lot at the beginning of my career.
Do you miss professionalism?
Of course, I was in that world for 29 years, it was an important part of my life, it's logical that I miss it. I stopped due to a choice that wasn't mine, but was absolutely necessary.My family has given me so much, and it was only right to give back some of the time I've taken away from them over the years.
So you'd like to come back?
Yes, I'd love to. I have some contacts, but nothing confirmed yet. I wouldn't go back to full capacity like before, I'd be happy with a 40-day run., so as not to take too much time away from family commitments. Before, I was always on lockdown, being the chief mechanic I was the reference figure, always available. It was right that it should be this way, but now I don't feel like doing it anymore.
You were in Bahrain when you left, did you remain on good terms with them?
I have terminated my contract with the Bahrain-McLaren in mid-2020 after the withdrawal on Pordoi, before the start of the Tour. The relationship with the staff and the riders remained excellent, when Sonny won the Roubaix I called him to congratulate him…
Did Sonny ask you to come back?
Enrico laughs, but doesn't answer. He must have asked her.Everyone asks me why I'm at home – he says – I never disclosed the news, I left through the back door».
What's it like going from the WorldTour to a local workshop?
The world I worked in and the way I did it gave me the credibility to work peacefully. I have no problems, everyone knows me at the regional levelIt's strange because even though I was at Lampre for 16 years, when I meet someone who follows cycling they say to me: "Here's the national team mechanic."
Have you ever wondered why?
I followed the various cities for 15 world championships, is the most followed race in the cycling panorama and therefore remains in the minds of the less passionate.
What kind of mechanic are you with customers?
I like doing this job in the workshop, because new people always come in. I enjoy trying to understand from their eyes and from how they present the bike to me what problem they have and how can I help them.
Could “losing” a year have caused you problems?
I don't think so, from a technical point of view there haven't been many updates. For example: il Dura Ace 12-speed It came at the end of the season, so very few of my colleagues had to deal with it.If you think about it, no major brand (Campagnolo, SRAM, and Shimano, ed.) launched any new products between the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
There will be some product that “surprised” you…
Yes, tubeless. I honestly didn't expect it to reach these levels of reliability. I'd be curious to use it while running.
In short, a leopard can change its spots but not its vices.
