They went back over 20 years, basically at the beginning of the twentieth century, among stories, memories, anecdotes. The invitation to the festive reunion dinner with hugs and pats on the back, nand the Cotto Ref premises in Imprunetat the invitation of the company owner Luca Parretti and Vincenzo Valloriani, former president and great cycling enthusiast.
They met in 11 of those three golden seasons among the elite amateurs and under 23s, 2001-2002 and 2003, sealed by a large group of riders. Among that group were Bazhenov, Bojesen, Gigli, Valle Vallomini, Rinaldini, Rigacci, Fioravanti, Mazzantini, Baccani, Fiorenza, Sichi. Also present were the coaches Daniele Masiani and Leonardo Gigli (and here the memory also goes to the other sporting director, the late Piero Conticelli), naturally there were Luca Parretti and Vincenzo Valloriani, sponsor and manager of GS Impruneta Cotto Ref, as well as Matteo Nunziata from Car Center, in today’s cycling with Pol. Tripetetolo from Lastra a Signa, and friend of the organizers of the festive evening. Cycling in that era was different, as was recognized by all those present amidst jokes and memories of many races.
In 2001, there were 8 successes with Mazzantini, Vig Aurel, Tomi, Bertini and Rinaldini; the following year was the golden one with 25 victories, twelve in the elite and 13 among the under 23s, with Tomi, Cossu, who was also an Italian player in Belgium, Muto, Claudio Bartoli, Bazhenov, Mazzantini, Fiorenza, Rinaldini and Genovesi. Finally, to close the unforgettable three-year period of the Impruneta Cotto Ref, the 18 victories of 2003 again with Gigli, Cossu, Bazhenov, Tomi, Genovesi.
The evening also coincided with the birthday of Vittorio Valle Vallomini, who lives in Lombardy, but who did not want to miss the evening and the cake prepared for him by the pastry chef Rigacci, another member of that magnificent group that found themselves in Impruneta. A dinner prepared behind the stove by Vincenzo Valloriani, a master in cooking cooked, but also skilled in the kitchen, with spicy penne and the classic “peposo”. At the end the inevitable photo to remember an evening that everyone hopes it will be repeated in the future, without having to wait 20 years like this time.
