Friuli’s tribute to the Nibali myth: “How many memories in these parts, from Zoncolan to Montasio in pink”

SAN DANIELE. There are more than two hours to go to the Assi di San Daniele circuit organized by We Like bike, but Valentina Giorgina from Villa Vicentina and Lisa Zancanaro from Udine are already there waiting for him. Because they don’t want to miss Vincenzo Nibali’s last competitive ride in Friuli. They unroll the banner, rigorously pink that they had taken to the Castelmonte stage and also on Saturday on the Marmolada, when at Malga Ciapela they had encouraged their darling engaged in the last ascent of its history at the Giro. Then they also prepared the souvenir plaque, with a dedication: “Thank you Squalo for being the champion you are, thank you Vincenzo for being the person you are .. and finally thank you for being a source of light in the darkest period for me and my family”.

The fan tells of an elderly mother who years ago was unwell and that the Shark’s exploits had helped to make her feel better. This is why there were so many, on Tuesday 31 May, in San Daniele to pay the homage it deserves to the Italian cycling champion who has characterized the last 15 years to the sound of victories, often with legendary feats, but also to the sound of falls that have ruined hits that seemed already written.

“Shark think again,” reads the banner. After a strictly ham-based snack, he falls back to the headquarters next to the old sports field, where in the meantime the thirty protagonists of the aces circuit had gathered, those events that once filled the squares and city centers at the after the Giro d’Italia and now, especially if organized like this, they are struggling to hit the mark. Because the initiative of We Like bike in San Daniele is commendable, but if you have riders like this, in the aftermath of the Giro, you have to invent something more pyrotechnic, otherwise you throw away a more unique than rare opportunity to attract the public, which quivers after two years of hiatus due to a pandemic, attracted by the great champions.

There is Domenico Pozzovivo of Intermarchè, 40 years old from another top-ten in the Giro, a real iron man who is studying another stage in the ham shop after he discovered the name of a brand to taste .

There is Alessandro De Marchi, the Bujese from Israel, accompanied by his splendid family, as is the other Friulian who has just returned from the pink race, Davide Cimolai from Pordenone, with his Alessia and the lively little girl Mia, just one year old. on May 31, which smiles at those who come within range. And there are Bryan Olivo and Matteo Milan, two representatives of Team Friuli, and above all Jonathan Milan of Bahrain, who after a month and a half of stop due to physical problems has found a number to put on his back and a smile, which is the most important thing. nice for the world and olympic champion of track cycling.

Or there are Davide Formolo, the former UAE flag who arrived on Saturday on the Marmolada together with the defeated Carapaz, heartening him with a wonderful gesture for defeat. And again Sacha Modolo (Bardiani) and Giulio Ciccone (Trek Segafredo) who feels an air of victory, all orchestrated by the prosecutor Johny Carera deus ex machina of the event.

Then he arrives, the one that the fans were waiting for, the Shark who in his Messina at the Giro had announced that at the end of the year, at almost 38 years old, he will stop and then he got even more applause on the streets than he usually gets. While Valentina and Lisa deliver, we ask Vincenzo the question: he and Friuli. Start amused. Obviously from the Zoncolan. «First time in 2007, in Liqugas jersey. Very hard, then in 2010 the day of Basso how many memories ».

Iron memory: «Who forgets the duel with Contador on the Kaiser in 2011? How much the climb invented by Enzo Cainero made me suffer ».

Yet Nibali, on Saturday, after having climbed the Marmolada and cursed that climb, even said that the Zoncolan is better. Why? «Simple: The Marmolada has a very wide road, you lose the references. The Zoncolan has different slopes, but up there everyone manages to catch his pace ».

With his legs … we think. He continues: «The Zoncolan is a climb in my heart, it’s true I didn’t win up there, but traveling the last kilometers between two wings of Alpini was an exciting thing, one of the most exciting of my career».

«And then – continues the two-time winner of the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France 2014 – on Montasio in 2013 I laid the foundations for the victory of my first pink jersey. In short, the bond with this land for me is very strong also because in recent years in the group I have found two real Friulians like Franco Pellizotti, who was my opponent, teammate and also sporting director at Bahrain, and Enrico Gasparotto ».

By the way, the “Gaspa” – on Tuesday 31 May in San Daniele (radiant) there was Toni, the father of the Casarsese – took home the pink jersey with Hindley on the Bora flagship. «I am happy for him – continues Nibali – after the stage of the Marmolada I hugged him, he is a great person, a true friend and he deserves all this».

The fans are demanding it. Photos, autographs and selfies for the Italian cyclist who marked an era with his victories and his style are a must. Thanks Shark.