«At 70 I fight Parkinson’s with cycling challenges»

PESARO – Riding a bicycle and doing it in a sporting manner is an effective way to combat Parkinson’s. Doctor Filiberto Martinelli, who has been suffering from this pathology for 10 years, will celebrate his 70th birthday by covering approximately 450 kilometers with a notable difference in altitude. The departure of the “Parkinson & Bike” initiative will take place this morning, Friday 10 May, at 7.30 from Piazza del Popolo to reach Assisi at the end of the first stage; it will continue on the second day on Saturday 11 May reaching Chiusi (La Verna) to return to Pesaro on Sunday 12 May in Piazzale della Libertà around 5pm on a journey that can be defined as “On the streets of San Francesco” given the symbolic places to be crossed. Martinelli will not be alone on this trip but will be accompanied by 9 other cyclists (the youngest being 47 years old up to Martinelli himself being 70 years old) and all coordinated by the Parkinson Association at both a provincial and regional level.

«The idea for this three days was born when I was diagnosed with this disease – explains Martinelli – at the moment the world collapses on you, I asked what can I do now? Can I continue cycling, my great passion? The answer was that I had to go.” In fact, cycling with a certain intensity has been discovered to be therapeutic for this disease. The doctor’s cycling companions were also important and one of them was Davide Patrignani.

«I have known Filiberto since 1983 – he says – he was my superior as a doctor but above all we are friends and we go cycling together. When we discovered the disease we also thought of this undertaking to raise awareness among the population on how to deal with this disease.” The Parkinson Association in Pesaro is chaired by Alessandro Ariemma and is very active in everything related to the topic. «Our association is a container of initiatives – he argues – and we are based at the Circolo in via del Novecento where we host people for courses and a listening point to listen to the needs of those suffering from Parkinson’s. Often they are people who hide, they don’t show up, but to counteract the progress of the progressive neurodegenerative disease it is necessary to socialize and practice physical activity such as cycling.” The event falls within the scope of Pesaro 2024 Capital of Culture and is sponsored by the Municipality of Pesaro (departments for Sport and Solidarity), by the Province of Pesaro Urbino, by the Regional Paralympic Committee, by the Cassa di Risparmio di Pesaro Foundation, by Panathlon and supported by the Mingione dental practice and Itas Insurance.

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