With yet another blow to contemporary sport, Tadej pogacar He also took home Liège, putting together a streak that is nothing short of prodigiousThird in Sanremo. First in FlandersSecond at Roubaix. First at Liège. In between, second place at Amstel, which perhaps discovered a small limit, and victory at the Flèche Wallonne.
Last week we talked about abuse of talent and we remain convinced that the Amstel was one too many, in the name of the same caution for which last year the UAE Emirates decided not to field Tadej in the Vuelta. However, as stated several times in the past, the phenomenon is him and net of the precautions necessary for his athletic longevity, we must admit that with the world champion some rules will have to be rewrittenWhile in Italy we are unable to rewrite Law 91.
The Italians' Liège
Pogacar's Liège saw a good signal from the Italians, with Ciccone's second place and the presence of Velasco and Bagioli among the top tenAfter years of very lean cows, a result that is very pleasing. To the point that laid down by the Cycling League Congratulations have arrived from President Pella.
«We are proud of our riders – declared the Piedmontese honourable – today's test confirms the value and work that the entire Italian movement is carrying forward with commitment and passionThis generation has talent and courage: qualities that will thrill us on the roads of the Giro and in the most important international competitions."
A communication that in other times would have come from Italian Cycling Federation, as after the Binda Trophy and the Tirreno-Adriatico, when President Dagnoni congratulated for the good results of the Italian athletes.
We have the feeling that There is poor communication and undeclared competition between the two highest bodies of Italian cyclingLike when Dagnoni had recently been elected to his first term and had to deal daily with Renato Di Rocco, who never missed an opportunity to attend departures and award ceremonies. Both have full right to do what they do., but the situation from the outside appears unusual.
The ignored women
In this scenario which is yet to be understood, the discordant note is that women have been ignoredNo congratulations, from either side. Not even when Letizia Borghesi took second place in Paris-Roubaix and yesterday Trinca Colonel a very respectable place in the top 10 of Liège.
Women's cycling are not part of the professional cycling league, yet (except for the amounts) at the UCI Elisa Longo Borghini's contract is identical to Ganna's. We're still stuck with Law 91 on professionalism: a law from 34 years ago! And since no Federation at the time allowed women to access professional activity, Italian athletes are considered amateurs, even though they have professional contracts in their pockets.
In the years two decrees have redefined the concept of "sports worker", extending some protections to the amateur sector. Further amendments were subsequently made, adapting the legislation to the current needs of the sporting world. But the disparity remains and it is frustrating.It is for us who write about it, let alone for those who experience it firsthand.
The shared effort
So perhaps, while the photos of Pogacar's victory will populate the wallpapers for this week and then give way to the first images of the Line of Business, Italian cycling is right to rejoice for the three Italians in the Liège top 10But then it should shake off yet another disparity to the detriment of girls.
Whoever gets there first to clear up the irregularity will deserve a handshake. It is understood that we could get there together: the Federation and the League which is its direct emanationCompetition is useful when it bears fruit and helps the movement grow; otherwise, it risks turning out to be simply a sterile exercise.
