CATANIA. After exactly forty years, the Giro d’Italia has a full-time fan. And the name is very heavy, that of the former city of Italbici, but also an excellent professional racer and TV commentator, in the studio and also on the bike, Davide Cassani.
From the 1982 pink race ended in 40th place as a neopro to the little Termolan of Bruno Reverberi, Cassani has always been in the front row. And now?
“I enjoy it meter after meter from the sofa at home or around Italy. The Giro got off to a great start in Hungary with so many people on the roads, finally after two years of pandemic, and a lot of protagonists like the Van der Poel phenomenon, Simon Yates in the horn or Cavendish ».
There is a war, starting from Hungary to Orban’s house was not the best, do you agree?
«I think that the Giro, like all sporting events, can be very useful in sending a message of peace and brotherhood. Maybe the wars were all like in cycling where you fight each other on the road and then one meter after the finish line you embrace each other. Did you see Van der Poel and Girmay in Visegrad after the sprint? ‘
Yet the Russian Gazprom team has been suspended by the UCI …
“Mistaken! There are 7 Italians and other athletes from all over the world left without work, while the Russian Vlasov won the Tour of Romandie for example ».
Simon Yates one of the favorites for Cassani
Did Yates surprise her at the time trial?
“Yup. She has shown that for 5 years her obsession is the Giro. In 2018 he lost it after dominating for two weeks, then retiring for Covid in 2020, a year ago the podium. He seems to me a very grown up runner in these years of legs and head. And then he always runs to the back of the group. It is true, he risks something but in this way he is more covered and saves energy avoiding the tension of the top positions ».
Who can surprise you?
“Dumoulin. He has super engine. Not so much on Etna but on Sunday on the Blockhaus we will understand if he is in good shape even on the climbs and can get back to the squad ».
Nibali?
«Beautiful chrono. Of course, we can’t hide age, but neither can class and experience. I don’t think you can aim for the pink jersey, but for the podium … ».
Hold on to Nibali. Ciccone and Fortunato left slowly. Will they have to attack?
«No, try to understand how they go uphill and have consistency in performance, the one that, for example, Ciccone has never had. Behind something there is: Aleotti and Covi, which, however, usually still suffer from long climbs ».
Cassani, is the goal to return to the group with a team of his own?
“Yes I’ll try. It is a dream, we hope it will come true as early as 2023 ».
Colbrelli is also watching the Giro from the sofa ...
“Sonny is a wonderful, honest person. After all he has had, I wish him all the best. And I hope to work with him again, in whatever capacity he will be ».
The votes to his heirs on TV?
“I see Rai (smiles, ndr), they do a nice job. Petacchi is a good one, especially at narrating sprints, super Pancani in commentary, perfect Genoese. And Rizzato on the bike is very very good ».
His new book “I wanted the bicycle” (Rizzoli) written with Alessandra Giardini and Giorgio Barreddu is released. The subtitle is “how cycling taught me to live”. How did he do?
«Simple: the bike made me feel unique emotions and gave me the key to recover after each fall. All time”.
Like when they sent her home from the Tokyo Olympics without being able to enjoy her quartet boys?
«Well, I would have liked to share that gold with them and the coach Villa, but when I got home I took my bike and I relaxed with a climb».
Which?
«Monticino, near Brisighella. Short, tough. The clock tower, the silence, the Romagna hills, the air of home “. The podium of the Giro? “Carapaz, Yates and Salmeida. Ciccone first of the Italians ».
In the top 10?
“Wasted yes.”
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