Bennati's house is on a dead-end street at the foot of the Alpe di Poti, which launched Brambilla toward Arezzo in the 2016 Giro. The surroundings are green and peaceful, on a sunny day inviting you to stay outside. Francesco is in eighth grade and got home a little late from school, so Chiara is still inside, tidying up and dishing out jokes in her spectacular Tuscan accent. Daniele has the smile of the good days, offers coffee, keeps the dogs under control and tellsWe will probably be conditioned by memory, but at times it's like talking to Ballerini. Similar style, the sly, low-voiced joke and the fixed gaze.
This is the Aurora fountain pen that Alfredo Martini's daughters donated to the new blue citizen Alfredo's Aurora and his business cards. Alfredo rejected the CT definition #1 and wrote his phone number on it.
This is the Aurora fountain pen that Alfredo Martini's daughters donated to the new blue citizen Alfredo's Aurora and his business cards. Alfredo rejected the CT definition #1 and wrote his phone number on it.
These past few weeks, people have been lining up to visit him and get a sneak preview of things he can't yet reveal. The list of names he is working on is long and he shows it to us, but there wouldn't even be any point in talking about it if the season hasn't started first. Instead, he shows us a priceless gift he received from Martini's daughters. It's the fountain pen of the great Alfredo. (Opening photo). Let's remain silent for a moment: before such a great story that continues to be passed down, words are unnecessary.
We are here for Daniele
We are here for Daniele, even before Bennati. Having followed him since he was a junior, I am curious to know more about him.Of what the miles and the road have built. Also to understand what we can expect when he's called upon to lead the Azzurri on the roads of the world.
«I always believed in what I did – he says – and what I wanted to do. Being a professional cyclistMy dad was a fan of Argentina and I have in my head the 1992 Sanremo where Moreno was beaten by KellyI have Bugno, Pantani and Cipollini in mind. I've always believed in them and the credit goes to my family for never having influenced my choices. The other day they gave me an award in Castiglion Fiorentino and, as a surprise, they invited Marcello Massini and Lido Francini, my coaches in the amateur and student teams. The good fortune of my career has been precisely having met intelligent and capable people. It's not a given that this happens.».
Ballerini was his best man at his wedding in 2003: here he is next to Chiara Bennati never raced under Martini. He met him when he was already Honorary President of the FCI. Mauro Battaglini was his agent and then increasingly his friend and advisor
Ballerini was his best man at his wedding in 2003: here he is next to Chiara Bennati met Martini when he was already Honorary President of the FCI Mauro Battaglini was his agent and then increasingly his friend and advisor
You learn from everyone.
Massini told us that Before you knew how to win, you had to help others do it.I was leading the sprints of Crescenzo D'Amore and Branchi and I was right behind them. It was a lesson that I carried with me and allowed me to become a professional.
Tells.
Mauro Battaglini had understood that I would be important for Cipollini and so in Cerreto Guidi in 2001, after the Tuesday race, I signed with Santoni, at Domina VacanzeIt wasn't a given that I'd be able to join that train. They put me to work from afar, but I realized I was getting closer and closer. In 2002, I broke my arm at De Panne and missed the Giro. In August At the Regio Tour I was leading the sprints against Lombardi, Mario's last manHe was the one who realized I was strong, and in the last stage we switched roles and I won. So he called the team and suggested I go to the Vuelta, where I was second to last and Mario won three stages, before retiring and winning the world championship.
Massini, Battaglini, Ballerini: men of few words. You're a bit like them, too...
I don't give much confidence. Before I trust someone, I have to know them well.My friendship with Franco speaks volumes, and it's true that I see myself in him a little. Mauro (Battaglini, ed.) on the other hand has always been by my side. A point of reference, with whom, in the end, friendship prevailed over work. I won't hide from you that I missed it a lot during the period in which I started to approach the FederationHe would certainly have advised me, but I'm sure he would be happy now.
Another Tuscan coach…
I was shocked to discover that I'm only the 19th. They're few. I come after Magni, Martini, Ballerini and BettiniTuscany has a great tradition, but maybe now we are at a low point, given that this year the Giro d'Italia isn't even passing through here (smiles wittily and politely, ed.).
What does it take to gain the trust of riders?
You have to be determined, don't let yourself be seen as unsure about decisions and ideasYou have to be confident in what you want to achieve. I quit two years ago, so it will be helpful.
Do you know what it means to be a rider today?
I'm realizing it more now that I've stopped, than before I was in the blenderI had a chat with Ganna. You realize that their normality for those outside is bestialI was just making progress, I had my break. But maybe this year Goofy has realized that it will be better to give up somethingIt's crucial to plan a goal and take some time off. Otherwise, you'll do three years and then skip it. How many examples have we had? I'm always full…
In the case built by his brother-in-law, Bennati keeps the bike with which he won in Paris in 2007 On the frame of Paris's bike at the 2007 Tour, in addition to the name, there is a biblical reference to Paul's Letter to the Philippians What does it say? Here it is. Bennati has never hidden his faith. The victory at the Champs-Élysées in the 2007 Tour remains the one for which the Tuscan is most often remembered. In Daniele's studio, all his bikes and jerseys are kept. Here are the Movistar Canyons.
In the case built by his brother-in-law, Bennati keeps the bike with which he won in Paris in 2007 On the frame of Paris's bike at the 2007 Tour, in addition to the name, there is a biblical reference to Paul's Letter to the Philippians What does it say? Here it is. Bennati has never hidden his faith. The victory at the Champs-Élysées in the 2007 Tour remains the one for which the Tuscan is most often remembered. In Daniele's studio, all his bikes and jerseys are kept. Here are the Movistar Canyons.
You'll have to move on your toes, in short…
My role isn't to organize training camps; they're already stressed enough. I'll be in touch by phone and meeting at the races. I will respect the teams' plans, I will give some advice if necessary, but without interferingIf Ganna does the Tour, he'll have a way to prepare for the World Championships. Otherwise, he'll choose a different approach.
What's the point of having run until recently?
It will have a big impact. Tosatto and Pellizotti immediately moved to the team car and have a special way of talking to the ridersI will lead the team in the races on the Italian calendar, and I will arrive at the World Championship with 20 races scheduled. Having been there until yesterday is useful because Cycling changes a lot from year to year, from the dynamics of the race to the commitments of the riders.
Does the new role make having to retire due to injury less painful?
I would have stayed a year longer, hung up my number after the accident. I would have wanted a big party, which was already planned with a circuit in Castiglion Fiorentino. This is what I regret most, not having greeted the fans, but it's not the end of the world.And then my dad is happy. When I stopped, he asked me, "What do I do now?" I gave him another reason to watch the races (laughs, ed.).
Cipollini won at Zolder and Ballerini said he had seen the film of the race the night before.
Zolder is a film that was easy to see before. Franco's greatness was having seen the film of three other World Cups that were much more difficult to decipher.In the short time he was there, he won four. He's the most successful coach we've ever had.
Who will be your Bennati in the running?
Trentin has an important racing vision and he also knows how to winHe was European champion and finished second in the world championship. He's intelligent and knows how to make himself available. And given the way the upcoming courses are designed, he could even be a leader. Like Paolini, who won and had an exceptional visionTo be a race director, you need to be a top-level rider.
Martini warned against the temptation to look back to explain the present…
Alfredo's most shocking quality was precisely that. He was a pioneer, who raced with Coppi and Bartali and then became a city manager, even though he was very old. not only was it up to date, but it was already in the futureCycling is like that.
Like this?
You have to stick with it. The rules are always the same. Then there are details like the psychologist, the nutritionist, the mental coach. But the basics are always the same and with today's pace they are even more importantIf you don't respect them, you're not going anywhere.
