Not only Comano Terme and Mordano, the Italian championships were also held in CodognoThe competitions to award the Italian paracycling overall titles took place in the province of Lodi. In the MB category, dedicated to the blind, the road race was won by the tandem composed of Lorenzo Bernard and Davide Plebani (Opening together on the podium, photo by Paolo Codeluppi and Roberto Bof). A young and recently formed couple who have already proven themselves successful.
From rowing to cycling
Lorenzo Bernard, however, comes from a completely different world: rowing. In this specialty he took part in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, now he's moved to cycling. Lorenzo has found an excellent guide in Davide Plebani, and the young couple has already achieved success. But the real objective has been moved by a few months.
«I've always had a passion for cycling – says Bernard – and after Tokyo I put myself to the test. I started riding tandem with friends and pedaled just for the fun of it.In the spring I met the national team coach Addesi and thanks to him I came into contact with Davide (Plebani, ed.). He was already with a boyfriend but in June the opportunity came up to play the Italian championship togetherIt was a test bed to see what we could do, and I'd say it didn't go badly (he says with a laugh, ed.)".
Two similar characters
It takes more than just a few weeks to create a winning, well-matched duo. Bernard and Plebani have demonstrated great qualities, but the road to being fully competitive is still long.
«The more we pedal together – admits Bernard – the more harmony we create, we have to create a union. You need to be in total harmony and also have similar physiques and characteristics.Davide and I are the same age, weight, and height, physical characteristics that have helped us bond. Davide immediately opened the doors of his home to me, and I've often been to Sarnico, where he lives, to train. The feeling on the bike is created gradually, you need total trust and you have to understand what the guide wants to doI sense through the pedals what he wants to do: turn, accelerate or brake."
«What Plebani did – adds Ercole Spada, president of the Team Equa – it's not for everyone. Both Davide and Lorenzo are two golden peopleEven opening your home to a stranger is wonderful. Davide believes in it and said he's rediscovered his desire to ride a bike."
Plebani's experience
Davide Plebani had stopped cycling, at least at the elite individual level, but an encounter with Spada allowed him to have this new experience.
«I was at a cyclocross race – he says – I met Spada and he asked me if I was available to guide a boyI'm a police athlete, and they directed me to an athlete of national interest. Initially, I ran with another guy, but a few months later they paired me with Lorenzo. I was amazed by the level I found in these competitions, I went back to training seriouslyI believe a lot in Lorenzo, I hosted him at my house for four weeks, three days a week, to train. I live with my girlfriend, Elisa (Balsamo, ed.) and She helped us with everything. Lorenzo's character made everything easier, as long as you have a person like him everything becomes easier."
The harmony
Both Bernard and Plebani talked about chemistry and sensations, but how do you create a competitive and well-matched pair? What steps do you take? And above all, how do you behave on the bike?
«On a tandem – explains Plebani – the best guide is one who also thinks about the person behind him. If one of the two parties "jumps", the tandem no longer moves forwardI'm the one in charge of the bike: I change gears, steer, and give Lorenzo directions. Before I only thought about myself, now I have to do it for him too.Luckily, I have good sensitivity, and this allows me to understand what Lorenzo feels. I have to… feel it, in every sense, and correct itWhen you're in front, you feel everything – weight and sway – together we refined the pedaling technique.
«It wasn't easy – Plebani continues – in cycling the categories dedicated to the blind are all together, so There is a big difference between having a visually impaired person or a blind person like Lorenzo behind you.In the Italian championship I often had the chance to drive it with my voice too. You should know that Blind people use their hearing to determine whether an opponent is attacking, and they can tell by the sound of gear changes.Lorenzo, however, also lost his hearing in his accident. At a certain point in the race they attacked us and I increased the pace. I was struggling a lot, at a certain point looking at our data on the cycle computer I realised that Lorenzo wasn't pushing hard. Needless to say, I had to yell “mena!” at him (he concludes with a laugh, ed.)».
Objective Glasgow
«Now we will go to Livigno with the national team for a training camp – says Bernard at the end – and I can't wait to refine the technique with DavideWe're the only new couple, the others have been working together since the beginning of the year, but we're going strong. The goal is to participate in the World Cup and the European Championship».
"We haven't even celebrated winning the Italian championship yet," Plebani concludes. "We're waiting for the World Cup and the European Championships. Maybe we can combine several celebrations into one and have a nice vacation together!»
