Filed on World Cup in Zurich, the elite of world cycling moves to Italy where tomorrow, Saturday 5 October, the 107th edition of the Giro dell'Emilia. Former coach Davide Cassani won that race three times, with the double in 1990-1991 and then in 1995 (opening photo). We reached him by phone to hear his story. some anecdotes about Emilia and the legendary climb of San Luca, which the riders will tackle 5 times on Saturday.
Davide, tomorrow the Giro dell'Emilia is taking place, a race you are particularly fond of.
That was just my race. I won it three times, then one year I came second and another third.Maybe it was because the route was right for me, or maybe it was close to home, but basically I was always there. Then in my day you couldn't get to the top of San Luca, but you still did the climb.
You were talking about your victories, can you tell us about them?
The one in 1990 was certainly one of the most beautiful of my life. It was a wonderful set of firstsIt was the first time my son came to see me race, and it was his first birthday. And that very day I won my home race for the first time. Unforgettable. The following year, in '91, I beat a very young Ivan GottiThen we arrived at Via Indipendenza in Bologna, in the final it was just me and him left and I won in the sprint.
While the third?
It was 1995 and it was very special, because It was my last victory as a rider, a few months before retiring. I was supposed to leave with the national team for the World Cup in Colombia, but I asked Alfredo Martini if I could move my flight by a day.. He, with his wisdom, agreed. That day I was feeling so good that I told my companions to hold the race until 50 kilometers from the finish, and then I would take care of it.. And so she went.
Let's get to the present day. How do you see Saturday's race?
There's one man to beat on Saturday, and it'll be very difficult for everyone else, given his characteristics and the course. I really think he can win his first race in the world champion's jersey.
I assume you're talking about Pogacar. So you don't see any alternatives?
After what we witnessed Sunday in Zurich I see it as difficult, very difficult.
But in the last two years, he's never looked at his best in this race, losing to Mas and Roglic. It's almost as if he were treating it like a finishing touch for the Lombardia.
But keep in mind that it has never been as strong and solid as it is this season. I think it can be fun and make us have fun.
Okay, let's play a game. What would you do if you were the DS of one of his rivals?
Good question. The problem is that he can also count on a very strong team at his complete disposalEvenepoel or someone else could try to anticipate, but at that point he could put his players to shoot and then launch a counterattack himself. Unless he decides to start from far away, or very far away, directly himself, maybe three or four laps from the endWith such a rush of inventions, in my opinion, few can be made.
You seem to rule out any scenario other than a victory for the new world champion.
You know, every race is a story in itself. For example We need to see how much he spent at the World Cup, if that effort perhaps remained in his legs. The others will have to be good at seizing the moment, if he ever shows any signs of difficulty. But I repeat: as I see it, in a race like this, with a rider like that, the room for imagination is quite limited.
So back to you. What's your fondest memory of San Luca?
Perhaps the most beautiful was the first time I was there with my father, as a child. I remember that I was thrilled to see the Bologna stadium from above, which is right there below. and I immediately understood that it was a magical place. Then I saw the Giro d'Italia coming and the Tour, moments in which San Luca itself became a stadium. A vertical and beautiful stadium which has welcomed thousands upon thousands of people from all over the world. As will happen again, for the umpteenth time, tomorrow.
