The triumph of Elia Viviani in the elimination at the world track championships in Santiago it is not something that can be relegated to just a mere statistic or an iconic photo like that of the X (to which some have even given an absurd political meaning) to symbolize the end of an extraordinary career on two wheels. It's a tale of emotions, even intimate ones, that involved not only the protagonist but also those around him. Like Marco Bertini.
Bertini has been the national team's masseur for years and has shared many of Viviani's adventures and exploits with him. He massaged him and transformed him into that magical Sunday in Munich in 2022, where after a tiring road test, he got him back on his feet and led him to the conquest of the European title in the elimination. No one knows his muscles like he does and, through them, his character.
«I met Viviani in 2018, the year I joined the national track team – says Bertini – I met him for the first time during the Six Days of Fiorenzuola, a frequent presence for him to prepare his successes. From there, the various trips that followed cemented our relationship."
Over the years, a very close relationship has developed between you…
Yes, with him as with all the other boys and girls in the national team, a contact that goes beyond the working relationship. I was invited to his wedding, to his end-of-year parties, during his trips I had the pleasure and honor of following him with massages, treatments.
When you arrived in Santiago, what condition were you in, physically and psychologically?
When I had him on my bed the first day, I immediately found him to be good, he was muscularly toned, only with the classic after-effects of a 15-hour flight., but nothing particularly serious. I could see he was already prepared to perform well. Mentally, I saw him calm and determined at the same time. I didn't see any stress on his part.
Had the race he had done before the elimination left him with waste, both physically and in his convictions?
No, even though the points race he had run hadn't gone very well, I always found him mentally calm and physically fine. The usual tired legs after a performance, but that was a normal routine. Mentally, I didn't see him feeling stressed by the fact that the race hadn't gone very well. you could see right away that he was already thinking about the last day, that was where he wanted to make a good impression.
How was the last day, the last massage before the race?
I think I felt it more than he did, because It was practically the last time that Elia as an athlete came to my tableThe actual treatment was the day before the race; he only came in the afternoon to get a final check-up. It was a very quick thing, but it was the last real treatment with Elia, so the last time I consider him to have been on my treatment table, and it was a whirlwind of emotions for me.
Why?
So many images of him have passed through my mind, so many moments spent together, both during and after the race. It was a moment that I felt very emotionally, I even asked him to take a picture together, something I never do. That moment touched me deeply, I felt a veil of sadness inside me because it was a chapter that was closing, his but also ours, professionally and humanly speaking.
How did your leg feel? Did it feel like it could reach its maximum potential?
He was fine, you could see he'd prepared well, that he'd meticulously attended to every little detail of his preparation. But he's a professional when it comes to these things, you could tell he's always very meticulous, precise. His leg was perfect, it was right, muscularly speaking. He didn't need anything special to be in tip-top shape when he got on his bike.The last massage I gave him, I found him in excellent condition.
When he crossed the finish line it was a celebration for him, but also for all of you, a special emotion even compared to other emotions you experienced at the same event in Santiago…
Every time the boys and girls achieve a result, it's always an explosion of joy for us, and I feel privileged to be there, down there with the staff, to be present at those events. I've been fortunate enough to be present at many events, World Championships, European Championships, and the Olympics. I'm also a particularly emotional person, especially when it comes to sports. I easily give in to tears.
And how did it go in Santiago?
When Elijah crossed the finish line It was a strong emotion. For me and for all of us. I even had a headache that I had never had before., due precisely to the tension, the emotion. When there were two of them left, practically playing for the World Cup title, and Elia was there, thinking back, I still feel emotional talking about it, reliving it mentally. I will always be grateful to him, to the boys, the girls, and the entire national team, for what they gave me. Every now and then, with a simple photo I look at, a video, or even just thinking about it, I savor those moments again and they make me feel good.
