On the eve of the arrival in Lucca of the Giro d’Italia he speaks Pierluigi Polithe historical memory of cycling in the city. The shop he manages in Piazza Santa Maria, a family tradition, recently reached its ninetieth anniversary.
“This event was expected – he says – after the great successes of 1984 and 1985. We are all happy as sportsmen and cycling enthusiasts to have the opportunity to see the riders up close and enjoy the stage. And then it is also a significant event from a promotional and tourist point of view.”
Poli recalls the latest events on two wheels in Lucca: “In ’84 – he says – it was a real, grandiose event, because the Giro particularly involved the city as the starting point of the first stage. The day before there was the presentation in Piazza San Michele, then the time trial all on the walls, then the following day again the stage that went from Lucca to Marina di Pietrasanta. Let’s say that time there the event was also experienced a little more by the historic center, even with pink windows. I remember that there was a little more participation precisely because everyone felt involved. I remember that the city was completely closed to traffic and there were so many people. On a thermal level it is remembered because Moser won, taking the pink jersey and then winning in the end the Giro in Modena. The 1985 stage was also beautiful, which was the last stage. Once again Moser won, but the Giro was won by Frenchman Bernard Hinault”.
“Even today the Giro has its protagonists – concludes Poli making a prediction – On paper, tomorrow’s stage is for sprinters because after the Bracco Pass there are still many kilometers and Monte Magno is almost nothing for professionals. But there are always long-distance escapes lurking that can affect the match. If I had to make a prediction, let’s hope for an Italian, let’s hope for Jonathan Milan“.
The Lucca race can also be a good starting point for the cycling movement in the city. “In the end we saw that when there is a champion who gets excited or goes strong then there is a sequel: Sinner for tennis and Tomba for skiing teach. In Lucca in this period there is not a great generational turnover, but this applies to all of Italy. The membership and the kids have dropped a bit. We would also need to do a bit of upfront work by the Federation, we would need to go to the schools and find slightly more effective formulas.”
