Valverde at the Giro, Visconti remembers Vinadio's embrace

In the same way that Nibali had embraced Scarponi in Risoul, the next day in Sant'Anna di Vinadio, Valverde stopped in the middle of the road to wait ViscontiAnd when the Sicilian arrived, the Spaniard hugged him so tightly that Giovanni still feels the squeeze today. Thanks to his help, the podium at the 2016 Giro was a done deal.

The last goodbye

Valverde's relationship with Italy had become strained. His involvement in Operacion Puerto had influenced his decision to stay away: It was the blood test carried out by the CONI inspectors in Prato Nevoso, on that single day when the Tour passed through Italy, that led to his disqualification. But when he paid for it and came back stronger than before, a new emotion was born within him. the fear that the Italian public would not want him aroundIt was precisely the affection perceived at the Line of Business of 2016 to make him change his mind. Coming back after six years has the flavour of a farewell.

The boy of always

The photos of Valverde at the departure from Budapest have the light of the child at the ridesVisconti also thinks so, and despite the offers and subsequent choices, Movistar Team he has experienced some of the greatest moments of his career.

«I got to know Alejandro well – says Visconti – when I signed with Movistar. That same evening I wrote to him that it was an honor to run with him and he replied immediately, welcoming me. He deserves all the affection he receives, because he's basically still the same boy he always was. He's not the kind of cyclist who shows off.. He was able to overcome difficult times, but he never stopped smiling."

I often read your posts about him.

It comes naturally to me. With Valverde I learned to be a rider, cycling is made of sacrifices, humility and gritI started eating well thanks to him. When we were in Belgium, he was the one who convinced me to have rice and tuna for a snack. Carbohydrates and proteins, he'd sit there and explain. Or he'd suggest how to make water bottles with amino acids and maltodextrin. He is generous and shares his secrets. And in this cycling of minimal differences, not everyone does it.

See how happy he is even if he comes second?

Because that's a victory too. He is over 40 years old, he is aware of itHe knows there are much stronger guys. So coming in second is a great result and together he is capable of getting excited by someone else's victory.

You mentioned Belgium. What was it like living in the Ardennes with him?

The race starts on Friday, during the reconnaissance. He climbs at full speed, also because he has never had a working method, like the ones people talk and write about. I trained at his house, not just with tables. He has his own group of amateurs, he separates them and comes back with training sessions at an average of 35-38. So on Friday, he has to feel strong.

And then what?

And then, there is no tension, especially at the start of the raceHe's on the bus acting like a fool, joke after joke, and Unzue, who usually sits on the first seat, the lowest one, raises his gaze resignedly.But it transformed while running.

How?

Until halfway through the race he did nothing but complainHe came to ask if I was okay or if my legs hurt like him. And I, even though I was fine, lied and said I was at full speed. So he got morale and in the end he won.

Are you really happy to be returning to the Giro?

It had been ages since he came. He was afraid of not being well regarded, then he realized he was lovedThe 2016 podium was an incredible joy for him. Of course he'll come back happy.

What do you remember about that Giro?

I was flying up the hill. I finished 13th in the standings, despite having worked hard for the team. At Sant'Anna, I would have finished second, but they stopped me and I remained waiting for him to run 500 metersAn old man saw me standing still and asked if I was okay. The same thing happened in Sestola; I would have finished second there too. The team gave me my space, but if we weren't fighting to win, it was natural that I helped.I did it willingly, because it was rewarding. I felt strong. The best day was when Nieve won in Cividale del Friuli and I finished second (behind him, Nibali and Valverde, ed.).

Why do you think Alejandro is going so far?

For me he's afraid of quitting. He doesn't lack money or a job, I always told him he has a brain sized for a bikeHe's an old-school cyclist, he can only ride bikes, while today's young phenomena could win in any discipline. That's why I'm keeping a 10 percent chance of it continuing., even if the hashtag she uses in her posts – #LaUltimaBala – makes one think she has made up her mind. 

Did you leave that team so you wouldn't have to be a domestique?

I wasn't a gregarious, I have never been because I am not able to do itAnd with this I give the utmost respect to those riders who are and do it. That would have been the right team to end his career with.Instead, Slongo's call came, and then Nibali's. After 5 years Maybe I wanted new stimuli that in reality weren't needed. Unzue had no guarantees to sign me immediately and I went to Bahrain.

Why do you remember that hug so much?

Because it's Alejandro's hug to his friend Giovanni. The efforts of the Giro and the difficulties we overcame together were and still are there.I have a photo of it, a rather ugly one, which I treasure. In fact, if you have a better one, I'd love to have it. Alejandro's first result in this Giro, I write something about him.