Franco Ballerini stopped a few kilometers from home and Even now it's hard to believeThis morning, at the start of the race that bears his name – I Dance in the Heart – in the bar in Masiano his wife Sabrina he helped his sister at the counter of the family barDad was doing the honors, while the junior group was forming. between the verification of reports and the directors' chatter after the winter training and making plans.
Flowers for Franco
At the end of the day, at the memorial stone that marks the spot of the accident, A young Canadian who had recently arrived in Italy showed up to lay the flowers: Michael LeonardHe was the one who left everyone behind on the final climb of the race, barely beating the stubborn Sciortino. We were curious to see him: the sports director of the Team Dancers Andrea Bardelli – he had been talking to us about it for months.
«The team worked up front all day – he says – for me it was easy on the climb, they brought me into position and I managed to win». Then suddenly he starts speaking in Italian.
In the first laps, a crash on the uphill forced Team Franco Ballerini into a long chase The Tuscan team starts the chase. Leonard is fourth in line.
In the first laps, a crash on the uphill forced Team Franco Ballerini into a long chase The Tuscan team starts the chase. Leonard is fourth in line.
«Many thanks to the whole team Franco Ballerini and Bardelli – he says – because they trust me. I know that Franco Ballerini was a champion, his family is close to the team. He comes from here and It's fantastic that we were able to honor his memory.I know his story, I wear his shirt and I'm proud of it."
Salvoldi on a motorbike
Frantic race in the first part, with 22 laps of a circuit of approximately 3 kilometres run at considerable speed. For the first race of the season, we thought as we saw them pass by, they were giving it their all. With 109 riders at the start, compared to 120 registered, several teams were left out due to the limitation of starters imposed by the Federation.
Before the start, a few words with the new city manager Dino Salvoldi they combined the domestic and foreign movements.
"I found sporting directors who were much more prepared and available than what they told me – said Dino, who followed the finale from his motorbike – and with them I was able to discuss a whole series of topics. This category now prepares for professionalism and the situation in our country, together with the French one, is different from the rest of the worldThe Italians have a great movement, but it runs almost exclusively at home in matches limited by the number of starters. There are fewer members abroad, but the juniors' activity is entirely international.. In fact there is a group of athletes who compete all year round in international competitions and for this reason they growThey don't have the limitations of stage races, but to protect them, we keep ours under a lot of restraint."
The first visible consequence is that the international season of the category opened on February 27th with the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, while ours started todayAnd the Italian call-ups for next Sunday's Ghent-Wevelgem will be based on the words of the sports directors, the training sessions followed, and the good reputation the riders have shown in 2021.
A message to Bardelli
Leonard is said to be very good. Those who follow his tests talk about crazy values, with watts per kilo of a true champion.There are apparently some agents circulating around his name and Quick Step has already made a taste. But what is most surprising about the boy is the kindness of his gaze and his great education.
“It’s my first race,” he says after finishing, “but everything I’ve dreamed of since I started racing is here. Italy is the home of cycling and I think that Franco Ballerini represents the spirit of Italian cyclingI met them at the Tour du Leman, in Switzerland, and I was impressed. It was the only team that worked together and so I sent a message to Bardelli and said I wanted to be part of it.The most organized team in youth cycling."
Family photo
Stopping at the side of the road on the uphill section of the first circuit, a lady with white hair and an enthusiastic man encouraged the group in English, so much so that we thought they might be his parents. The confirmation came after the finish line, when Dad Peter and mom Jill, along with little sister Annie, posed with Michael after the podium.
«When he told us he was coming to Italy – Jill laughs – I was a little nervous, but when he came we trusted him and now he's really happyWe arrived last week and will stay for another eight days. To visit the venues, meet the team, and see the first race.
“It’s all fantastic,” echoes her husband. “The team was fabulous. Next Saturday is his birthday, he turns 18, we couldn't leave him to celebrate alone this splendid ageThe team is wonderful, he is happy. He started with triathlon, then switched to cycling, running at home. He's also started training on the track. We've been to Belgium, then we'll go home and follow him on the computer."
Family photo for the Canadian: mother Jill, father Peter and sister Annie After the finish, the winner's team laid flowers at the site of Franco's accident. At the end of the awards ceremony, the winner will receive a shirt celebrating Franco Ballerini A giant photo of the Ballero for the winner who knows its history very well.
Family photo for the Canadian: mother Jill, father Peter and sister Annie After the finish, the winner's team laid flowers at the site of Franco's accident. At the end of the awards ceremony, the winner will receive a shirt celebrating Franco Ballerini A giant photo of the Ballero for the winner who knows its history very well.
In small steps
Michael does everything he's told, caught up in the happiness, the hugs of his teammates, and the vigorous, Tuscan-style cheers of the fans surrounding the team. Even Scinto with crutches, while trying to remain detached.
«My dream is to turn professional – he says – but this is only the first race. I'll take it all step by step, taking it easy. the right time to grow».
While the awards ceremony and celebrations begin in Masiano, We take the road towards Sesto Fiorentino to pay homage this time to Alfredo MartiniTwo such important tributes on the same day are well worth a trip on the highway.
