ROME – It's quite an effect to think that the Parliament chamber is over there. And it's quite an effect again – the first time it happened after the Giro d'Italia – realize that cycling is the guest of honor in the Queen's Hall, in the presence of the President of the Chamber, three Ministers and the general staff of the Professional Cycling League. President Roberto Pella he knows how to move and the result is that we talk about sport in the presence of very high state officials.
«Cycling, through the victories of its champions – says President Fontana – Coppi, Bartali and then also Pantani, has had great significance for the lives of Italians. Therefore it is It is a great pleasure to be here with you to present this event and it is a great pleasure that it is being done in the ChamberIt's wonderful to have these champions with us today. And I thank them. Some of them, probably without knowing it, have changed the lives of many people. Perhaps even more profoundly than they themselves can imagine. They are part of the intimate memory of so many people, and for me it was like that. Because even in some difficult moments of my life, in cycling I had a moment of empathy and so I thank them for the emotions they gave.
"And I thank those who commit themselves daily to this activity and this sport," Fontana concludes, "because it continues to provide so many emotions. Seeing these athletes in their physical effort, in the commitment they put in, and in the passion they have It certainly makes them important points of reference for the lives of many people».
The Italian Regions' Cup
The occasion is the presentation of the second edition of the Italian Regions Cup, the circuit wanted by the Cycling League and the Conference of the Regions, to have races on the calendar the most effective promotional vehicle for the Italian territory.
«It's not just a series of excellent races – says Senator Pella – but It was born from the intentions of two entities that want to enhance the territory in which they move and live. Cycling passes beneath homes and engages families. Cycling enters hearts and souls. I say this as mayor: There is nothing better than that group that passes by to enhance an area».
Eleven regions and 31 races
Il Italian Regions Cup calendar It involves 11 regions and looks forward to attracting more. There are 31 races (21 for men, 10 for women). The president of the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces It's Lorenzo Fedriga, but he's not here today. In the message he gives to the day's flyer, he talks about cycling as "a discipline that combines passion and determination, teamwork and resilience, capable of transforming every road travelled into a journey to discover the beauties of the country".
In its place, therefore, intervenes Vito Bardi, president of the Basilicata region and coordinator of the Sports Commission of the Conference of the Regions. "This competition calendar and this presentation," he says, they are not a formal act, but a commitment to promote cyclingSports competitions are an exceptional way to tell the story of the territory and promote a healthy way of life. It was established a permanent sports working group In collaboration with Sport and Health, the Government, and the Conference of the Regions to promote better lifestyles. We have begun the best phase of collaboration possible."
The Wisdom of Abodi
She drives Giada Borgato, which guides the conversation from one speaker to another. It introduces the video contributions of Antonio Tajani and Giancarlo Giorgetti, absent and justified by high institutional duties, and then passes the word to the Minister of Sport Andrea Abodi, who gets straight to the point with competent words.
«I thank the champions – he says – the organizers and the media, but above all I thank you for the popular passionIf we're here, and if cycling is the popular sport we love, it's because of a generational relay. Offering the setting for this Italian Regions' Cup to all the organizers. it means taking a step in the right direction, that of change that allows sport to keep pace with the times. As a government, we will not fail to contribute. Although it is a sport that starts from individuality, cycling teaches teamworkBut our commitment will not be limited to competition, but also to promotion of facilities aimed at the little ones.
«Safety is important to us. I would like that in case of death in competitions, there was a timely investigation of the responsibilitiesI wish the road death toll wasn't so high. There is a need for literacy for those who go on the roads, for those who get distracted while driving or are not in a position to do so. And then there is tourism promotion, which must not be limited to competitions, but be a goal for 365 days a year».
Equal opportunities
There is also Daniela Santanché, as Minister for Tourism, who these days probably has other hot fronts to focus on, but equally reels off the numbers of cycle tourism and praises the growing desire for Italy in the world. And then Giada Borgato passes the word to Minister of Equal Opportunities and Family Eugenia Maria RoccellaAnd she invariably remembers Alfonsina Strada and says she enthusiastically accepted Roberto Pella's request to support the Italian Regions' Cup with her Ministry as well.
"Equal opportunities," she explains, "start with the recognition of a difference. Equalizing the premiums for men and women isn't symbolic, but a fact of substance. We have contributed to this project with great enthusiasm, because we consider it a symbolic projectAnd since I am also Minister for the Family, I remember many years ago when families gathered around the radio to listen to the Giro d'Italia coverage. It was a community that gathered around the pride of being Italian, the sense of belonging».
Closing with the samples
The last bit of time belongs to the four champions fully included in the Cycling League's organizational chart: Giuseppe Saronni, Francesco Moser, Vincenzo Nibali and Gianni bugnoYou can see how excited they are to speak in front of such an audience, but everyone communicates their pride in being there and their desire to fully carry out the task they've been given. Then suddenly, a white-gloved Parliament clerk hands Giada Borgato a piece of paper, and it's clear the meeting must end.
Over there, they'll soon be discussing bills and other government measures. Over here, we look around, say hello to faces we'd normally see at the races, and then dive back into the traffic, counting down the days until the first round of the Italian Regions' Cup. The Laigueglia Trophy, next WednesdayThen the Italian 2025 will finally get underway.
