Pink suits her. And not a little. But this is not why Eleonora Incardona was chosen for the second consecutive year as godmother of the 2024 Giro d’Italia. As the stages passed, day after day, her culture of this sport made of effort and class also grew , of suffering and satisfaction: “I love it immensely. I became passionate about cycling by experiencing this event firsthand. I had the opportunity to understand it by looking with curious eyes at what was happening along the caravan route. And it was extremely interesting. The Giro d’Italia’s sounding board goes beyond national borders. It is an event that is also known and appreciated abroad. For this reason, being confirmed for the second consecutive year was a great professional satisfaction.”
To whom will you dedicate this second edition?
“Mum often watched the stages, republished my posts and my stories. Having the chance to relive the experiences I shared with her, even if from a distance, will be extremely exciting. My ‘Giro’ will be all for her who gives me will follow from heaven.”
What moments are still present in your mind, talking about last year’s experience?
“Definitely my debut, the day of the presentation of the teams. Whoever helped me learn the ceremonial warned me: ‘It will be unforgettable’. And so it was. Being able to savor it again this year is something wonderful.”
What was your “heart stop”?
“I have experienced many first hand: it is difficult to forget the one in Naples. Maybe it was the fact that the Neapolitans had just won the scudetto but in Campania I found a unique energy. I noticed that everywhere people are eagerly awaiting the passage of the Giro of Italy but that time, in Naples, it was crazy.”
Are you expecting anything new this year?
“In addition to the role of godmother, I will also be sent to the field to talk about the backstage of the stage race. I will interview those who experience the Giro behind the scenes and, perhaps, I will also participate in the Giro E (an e-bike experience that takes place on the days on the roads of the pink race) with the camera on the helmet”.
What kind of ride will it be from your point of view?
“Definitely compelling with some stages immediately capable of giving important indications. Just think of the second, the one that leads to the Sanctuary of Oropa, where in 1999 Marco Pantani accomplished an epic feat”.
Which stages are you most curious about?
“Definitely the fourteenth, the one that touches Desenzano del Garda and Castiglione delle Stiviere: I met special people who live in those areas. I must mention it. And then the first, which will start from Venaria Reale: it will pass through the Superga hill which, for those he loves the world of football, he brings with him the memory of Grande Torino.”
Speaking of football, which is more beautiful: the Giro d’Italia trophy or the Scudetto Cup won by Inter?
“The championship, like the Giro d’Italia, is a stage race towards glory. The two awards are equally important. However, I find an enormous difference: that of cycling unites all our compatriots. That of football, unfortunately, divides due to typhus”.
Did you celebrate the success of the Nerazzurri? “For the first time since I lived in Milan I didn’t go to see the derby live. I preferred to be with my loved ones. But on Sunday I will be watching the match against Torino and I will take the opportunity to congratulate the big family of Inter”.
Among the players, who do you put on the podium this season?
“They all deserve to be on the top step of the podium. But if I really have to say three names, I choose Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram and Benjamin Pavard.”
And among the interviews carried out so far, which players have given you the most satisfaction?
“They are three former footballers who, due to their education, friendliness and appeal, have proven to be great champions even off the pitch: Ibrahimovic, Del Piero and Totti.”
Opportunities had thanks to Dazn.
“I still remember the phone call from my agent when he told me that I had been chosen to work at Dazn: I was in the car, I stopped and burst into tears of joy. I’ve wanted this job since I was little: I grew up in a small town that is barely on the map. Daughter of jurists, I followed in their footsteps and moved to Milan to study. But I never gave up on my dream. I hope this is my starting point.”
Maybe it’s not your dream but is it still a pleasure for you to play golf?
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“Absolutely yes, especially now that the good season is returning. I want to start training consistently again to improve my handicap: the goal for 2024 is to become one digit (handicap between 0 and 9). And then I have to be ready ahead of time. of the event that will take place on June 23rd at the Milan Golf Club, organized by Merbag: I don’t yet know if I will participate as a golfer. I will certainly be the godmother… but I would really like to play a few holes”.
