In Ragusa, the sun is shining and it's very hot. Ornella is having an ice cream with her children Oscar and Greta, who are enveloped in a climate of happiness and joy that is partly unexpected, but When it comes to dad Damiano Caruso, anything is possible…
The days before a departure for a big Line of Business...
They are special! We try to do as much as possible together with the children; it weighs more on them than on me.. By now – Ornella reflects – I'm used to this frenetic rhythm: it's here, it's not there, it stays for a week then goes away for ten days, it stays for two days and goes away for two months. In the days before departure we are all together, with parents, friends: we don't miss anything, this also helps him to have a bit of energy when he's away from home.
His being (theoretically) a gregarious.
It's no small task, it's very important: he's the captain's last man. He has shown that he can overcome any situation, as long as he has the strength he is always there. To do a job like this, you need a lot of brains in addition to your legs. He's fine with this task, it's gratifying, but of course... when a victory comes it's even more beautiful.
When, suddenly, he became captain of Bahrain Victorious in this Giro d'Italia…
We shared the same thought: he was already in the rankings, he had to think about that, in case it went badly… he would have aimed for a stageOnly he knows how far he can go and what he can do; from home we can only cheer, but unfortunately We are not there to be his gregarious men, also because we would not be strong enough, we do not have his legs (smiles, ed.)
When are you talking?
The morning before the stage and after, but not immediately after, I know he has a lot to do and I don't want to disturb him.When he goes to bed, he dedicates five minutes to me and the children.
Are you trying to motivate him?
No, Let's talk about something completely different; mainly what the children did during the day.Even though we've been together for many years... I don't really understand much about cycling (laughs, ed.), everyone knows that he's good at climbing, he knows it and he doesn't need to hear this from me.
When he came home with that mustache…
I looked at him and said: "You're crazy!"He often makes bets with his friends, who believe that he won't do certain things, but since he's a little crazy he accepts all the challenges. Then, however, I looked at him again and exclaimed, "Come on... I kind of like you!" And we burst out laughing. It all started as a joke, we joked about it, We girls also drew fake mustaches and sent him photos… Did it bring him luck? I'll leave that to others to decide.
Oscar…
He follows it a bit on television, he's six years old, he doesn't really understand everything that's happening in detail. He knows his dad is on television, that he's good, he knows it's his job and that it takes him away from him. But, of course, he gets distracted easily, and running doesn't keep him very entertained. He likes it best when his dad is at home, he goes to training and when he comes back they play together.
How would you describe your husband?
Damiano is a very humble person, he gives a lot, he does a lot for his friends, but he is very stubbornWhen he sets his mind to something, he has to achieve it; he never says, "No, I can't do it." He always tells us that nothing is impossible, but that we can do anything.
How are you experiencing these stages of the Giro?
I watch all the stages from the starting village to the finish. Obviously, I don't spend six hours in front of the television, I put it on full volume, do something at home and distract myself a bit too.
When Bernal started to suffer and Damiano was there, alone, trying to detach him…
I was happy for him and how he is doing addressing the situation. This is a time of crisis for everyone, they're already in their third week, they're tired. At that moment I was excited, a breakdown is possible: it's part of the game. Testa, heart and legs… sometimes they are very useful.
Have you ever thought about cycling?
Honestly… no! As Damiano says, I'm the ultimate unsportsman.Actually, years ago I had a bicycle bought for me, I went out on it three times and then I found out I was pregnant with Oscar and I put it down. This was my cycling career (laughs, ed.)! I prefer to take a walk by the sea.
What would you say to Damiano right now?
I always believed in him, I'm proud of him and what he has achieved todayFor me, it's already a victory. Whatever happens, I'm already satisfied. I wish him the best… (Ornella gets emotional and her voice almost trembles, ed.) He knows his worth and he knows what to do.
