UDINE. «It is the victory of our people, of our communities, of the small towns of Friuli crossed by the Giro d’Italia and which once again mobilized for the pink race. The victory of over one hundred thousand fans on the streets ».
The day after the “Giro day” in Friuli Venezia Giulia for Enzo Cainero, 77, the patron of the Friulian hamlets for twenty years, began an hour later than usual.
“Yes, I woke up at 8 and found hundreds of messages on the phone, I got the call from dozens of people. Many mayors, even from the most unthinkable municipalities, have called me to ask me to pass a stage on their territory ».
Even if he didn’t win a big one and was the battle for the pink jersey in a minor tone?
“Yes, because in the end the runners make the race, but the visibility obtained by Friuli Venezia Giulia was enormous and goes hand in hand with the passion and professionalism not only of the volunteers, but of all those who collaborated: from the mayors to the various institutions, passing through the police, think of the great work we have done with the Polstrada to limit the inconvenience to traffic: it was a feared stage, Friuli was being cut in two ».
The biggest surprise?
«There is no doubt: Marano Lagunare. The mayor Popesso and his have put an extraordinary energy, with desire and passion that must teach a lot to the nearby most famous seaside resorts. And Mortegliano? That community is teeming with cycling, it is clamoring to host a start or finish for the Giro ».
The line is long …
“Already. And to please everyone is impossible. Then Fagagna, San Marco di Mereto dei Cecchini, Majano, obviously Buja, to which I am particularly attached and which will soon be rewarded with a stage ».
An anecdote?
«Easy, remembering the passion put in by the villages of the Torre Valleys and Villanova delle Grotte, on Friday in the reconnaissance with my brother Eddy I came across a group of grinders from Resia. In Caporetto, then, we were greeted with great honors. In Slovenia there was a crowd on the roads, their champions are born from the great passion of the people for the bike ».
Did the ascent of Kolovrat hit the mark?
“Very beautiful, how super was the welcome of the Valleys and Cividale, a jewel that can be exported anywhere”.
Can Cividale-Castelmonte be the perfect time trial?
«No, the climb is too easy for the riders, too bad. Because up there, thanks to the enthusiasm of Father Gianantonio, another beautiful discovery of the Giro we have once again found a treasure ».
So all that remains is to wait for Lussari 2023: news?
«RCS will decide in mid-June, it depends on the work on the cable car. Let’s say that the meeting under the stage on Friday between the president Fedriga, whom I thank again for his trust, and the director of the Giro Vegni, however, was very fruitful … ».
Cainero, did you see the signs for Nibali?
“He is a great man, he deserves the affection of the people, it is a pity he will end his career without a victory over the Zoncolan as he would have liked and deserved given the great class”.
The Friulians?
«De Marchi was very applauded, even if unfortunately he was unable to escape as he would have liked and perhaps to dedicate a victory to his friend Nicola Venchiarutti, so I saw many signs along the route. Then there were Enrico Gasparotto and Franco Pellizotti to compete for the Giro as the flagship: what a beauty ».
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