The bike champion Vittorio Brumottilike every year, passes through the dangerous investigations of Strip to light transmission Paperissima Sprint, also on Canale 5. During the season that has just ended he was attacked while documenting the misdeeds on the street. How are you? «Damn it! Despite being 44 years old (today, ed.), I feel like I’ve returned to the summer of ’96, with the same dreams as when I was a sixteen-year-old and a great desire to further raise my level on the bike.”
Paperissima Sprint has recently started again, what relationship does it have with comedy?
«It’s in my blood, because I’m surrounded by people who interpret life with a humorous verve: my father Claudio, Antonio Ricci and Gabibbo».
The duck you remember most often?
«The last one is fantastic. A few days ago I was at my house, in Liguria, and to liven up a lunch with friends I climbed onto a railing with my bike. After a few meters of balance, I fell onto the set table, breaking bottles and glasses. Luckily I didn’t do anything to myself. The scene was filmed and aired just yesterday on Paperissima Sprint.”
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Finally some peace of mind after so many dangerous anti-drug missions?
“TO The news spreads we have carried out quite intense services in drug dealing centers and beyond. Let’s go where the situation is gangrenous and that’s where we want to see a daisy born in the concrete. With Paperissima Sprint we turn the page, but Strip it never stops. For example, on Friday I was a guest at an event in Senigallia when I came across two girls who were pretending to be mute to ask for money on behalf of a mysterious association. I intervened to unmask them and we managed to broadcast the report that same evening.”
Just last May 21st he had a misadventure in Rome.
«Yes, during a report in Fiumicino on those who unduly occupy the seats reserved for disabled people. Now I risk my life more with “merdine” (“prize” on the satirical news for those who park in spaces reserved for disabled people without having the right, ed.) on cars than with services in the commissary. “They have to shoot you in the mouth!”, I was told on that occasion. And I, thinking of a nice creamy husband in my mouth, got desperate, because I do everything to keep fit! In recent years, however, I have learned that barking dogs almost never bite.”
How many times was he attacked?
«Very often, but I don’t bring the bill. But I was told that there is a death toto, very sad, where I am at the top of the ranking. Luckily, thousands of Italians are on my side: they give me a warmth that pushes me to move forward. That heat is my fuel.”
What do you say to those who say they “go looking for them”?
«Who maybe is friends with drug dealers or doesn’t watch Striscia. After hundreds of reports, I document what happens to bring the spotlight to these situations of degradation.”
What drives you to get on the road and risk your skin?
«I feel like Bud Spencer when he tries to turn a blind eye, but since the situation doesn’t change, he is then forced to intervene. When I see something wrong I have to act and press the rec button on the camera. And I have so much energy that I can’t not do it.”
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What relationship does he have with the public? Who are his fans?
«There are deeply wounded people to whom I connect so much. Parents with disabled children or drug victims. Then many children who celebrate with me when I free the drug dealers.”
What is the most important advice that Striscia and Paperissima’s father Antonio Ricci gave you?
“Head down. Right from the start he told me to always be simple. When I started leading Paperissima Sprint he instead also suggested I do the “nescio” (foolish in Ligurian, ed.). I’ve reached my 12th time managing as a “nescio”.
What has the bike taught you and teaches you?
«Discipline and respect for the rules. In my sport if you don’t do your homework well you don’t go on a railing overlooking the sea.”
How do you see yourself in ten years?
«My dream is that what I do can be a stimulus especially for the new generations and that in ten years there will no longer be a need to go to drug dealers, or to those who occupy places for disabled people, or where there are works with the four arrows. If this were not the case, I hope to continue my adventure in Striscia.”
