There are those who, today under the triple-mullioned windows, will be there for a bond of affection and esteem with the captain, those for a ‘generational change’, those for the commitment and dedication towards the Contrada, those to bring to mind the old glories arise, who for… “it is not said”. All ten, with the same hope and the same goal: to bring the victorious horse into the stable. A burden and an honor for the ‘Barbareschi’ called to try their luck, perhaps with some ‘amulet’ hidden in the mount and their hearts racing. Valdimontone has bet on Francesco Manganellli, son of the former commander of the traffic police, already on the Palio staff when captain Aldo Nerozzi was Manga. “I was inspired because he is a true contradaiolo, a person who deserves it” underlined Nerozzi. The Pantera instead went to Leonardo Carletti. “We are a conservative Contrada – revealed captain Franco Ghelardi –, but this time we have decided to break with the past: a young boy will go, with the hope that his enthusiasm will bring the barber into the stable who will make us win this blessed Palio. Let’s say that it is also a reward for the segment of people that he represents.” Il Bruco chose Enrico Ioseffi. “An exceptional boy – declared captain Federico Cappannoli –, always positive, always with a smile, always present in the Contrada. He deserved it: a recognition that I wanted to give him”. The captain of Leocorno, Marco Minucci has chosen “a brotherly friend”, victorious in his same role in the last Victorious Career, two years ago: Massimo Bari. Thus the pair of Piazza’s standard-bearers has been recomposed… La Lupa will wink luck with Luca Cavani: he is the chosen one of captain Giulio Bruni. Giovanni Averani will instead take the horse for the Civetta. His family is a flirtatious historical family: a friend of Captain Roberto Papei. The Contrada dell’Oca will also rely on a former victorious captain, Fulvio Bruni: today’s captain Stefano Bernardini has chosen the one who, in his same role, brought the Palios of 1996, 1998 and 1999 to Fontebranda. Giraffa captain Guido Guiggiani focuses on Michele Razzi. In the Nicchio, captain Marco Bruni ‘called’ Riccardo Galini. Onda also made the choice of Leocorno and Oca: the task of bringing the ‘right’ horse to Malborghetto will fall to Riccardo Coppini, new rector of the Maggiorenti and victorious captain in 2012 and 2013. “A decision dictated by relationship that binds us – stated the captain, Alessandro Toscano –, for the harmony we have always had. I was pleased that he agreed to take on this important role.”
Angela Gorellini
