The show will take place on Saturday 14th March penultimate stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico, with departure from San Severino Marche and arrival in Camerino. 188 kilometers with almost 4.000 meters of altitude difference between the walls of the Marche region which will most likely decide the overall standings. There's less than a month to go, but the town hosting the finish line is already ready to welcome the riders, especially one: Giulio Pellizzari.
The young climber of Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe is in fact the child of the country, born and raised in Camerino, and on that day all his fans will be there waiting for him and cheering him on. In the front row, to coordinate and organize the cheering, there will be Sandro Santacchi, manager of theASD Avis Blue Arrows, a company that for the occasion also created a t-shirt dedicated to the “Duke of Camerino”We contacted him to find out how they're preparing for the big event, in the town that, after ten years, is finally recovering from the earthquake.
Sandro, March 14th will be an important date for the city...
For us who follow Giulio the fact that a stage arrives in Camerino is an eventThere's a lot of excitement, we're trying to organize the cheering as best we can. But without putting too much weight on him., since it will be a very special day for him too.
When was the last time a stage of the Tirreno reached Camerino?
Il March 16, 2009, also that time decisive for the Tirreno-Adriatico, and Michele Scarponi won, and then also took the overall classificationFrom that day on, a special relationship was created between him, our city and the Frecce Azzurre, because he he considered that victory very important. After a difficult period of disqualification, his only career victory in the Marche region came close to his home. In fact, Michele he later came to our event, the Granfondo di Terre dei VaranoWe also have a photo from that day of Giulio, still a child, taken by his father to meet Scarponi.
A relationship that, albeit in different forms, continues today.
After Michele's misfortune, the affection of the city has spilled over onto the family, especially on his brother Marco and his Foundation, which the Pellizzari family is now very close to. The finish line of the March 14 stage it's the same one where Scarponi won 17 years ago, in a Piazza Cavour full of construction sites, but with so much hope, so that there really are all the ingredients for a special day, no matter how things go.
And you'll all be there wearing the jerseys you created for the occasion. Can you tell us about them?
It's a shirt that celebrates Giulio's victory at the Vuelta last year. The color, a dark blue that almost looks black, was chosen by him, it was made in agreement with the familyWe collaborate on all these aspects, we try to manage the information that comes out about him, so that they are reliable, we are creating the official website. We are not a real fan club because Giulio doesn't want it to be called that., since he is very humble, but in fact he is.
Can the shirt still be purchased? If so, where?
It's still available online on the Facebook page Giulio Pellizzari fanpageWe've already sold many of them in Camerino and elsewhere. We'll also have some on site on race day, and also next Saturday at the stage presentation here in Camerino, where Giulio will also be present.
Can you tell us something about him?
I've been following him since he was little. He's just like you see him on TV, always smiling. courageous in his statements as in the raceIf he's well, he'll catch and attack, he's not afraid. The important thing to make clear is that he's really as it appears, it has that character there, open and sunny.
Pellizzari is Camerino's top professional, right?
Exactly. His father raced as a young man, up to the amateur level, and his brother Gabriele up to the U23 level. But Giulio is our first professional, and for us it's incredible. Up until the students he wasn't a winner, in fact he often didn't even finish the races. He developed a bit late, in fact then from the Juniors it was a continuous crescendoThis can be an important lesson for other kids, too. A career can also be built with time, commitment and determination., without haste and without getting down.
Sandro, last question. Can you tell us about this famous arrival from Camerino?
After the first passage through the city centre, the riders will enter a circuit of approximately 30 kilometres to be completed twice. the last 3.000 meters are a ramp at an average of 12%, with an easy stretch in the middle, so with traits that exceed 20%That road is a shortcut that goes straight up to the top of the Camerino hill. We will be there close to the finish line, organized with barbecue and sandwiches, and we will try to encourage it with all our love.
