Executive president Fausto Pinarello talks about the difficult “construction site” “With Covid it is impossible to organize in time: an exhausting race”
the interview
Fausto Pinarello, executive president of the well-known bike company, does not say it openly but makes it clear: “We did it”. Yes, because his “creature” returns after two years and in Covid era it was certainly not obvious.
Fausto Pinarello, how was this approach towards the 2021 Granfondo?
«The hardest ever. Who would have bet, just a few months ago, that we would be able to propose it again? Usually the organizational machine, although well-established, began to move as early as January. But, in times of Covid, you could not have certainties. Everything was postponed, we actually left between May and June. The green light for registrations was given a month ago, while the usual timing was February-March. We have achieved a small miracle. And a big thank you goes to the over 500 volunteers, about fifteen sports associations will help us ».
The return after two years must be a priceless emotion …
“Yes, even if the numbers cannot be the same as in the past. We aim for two thousand starters, there will be no foreigners. A few Germans or Austrians signed up, not much. But the important thing is to start over. We will live it as a transitional edition, in view of the 25th anniversary of 2022. The message will be: “Let’s go back to pedaling”. There are friends of the bike who are still afraid, who are not trained. There are those who have also become apathetic. But we have to start again, the event wants to be a message of trust ».
What’s new and future challenges?
«We brought the Expo to Fontane for the first time, near the shop and our company. There, a stone’s throw away, is the “Pinaland” project, an area dedicated to bmx and the youngest: we await the green light from the Region for the change of land use ». –
M.T.