In Cesenatico it is the big day of the start of the Tour de France and in the starting village, among the curiosities, a roll of honor stands out with the name of Lance Armstrong deleted several times after his confession to having used doping. Director Prudhomme greets everyone and spreads smiles on a special day like that of the race in Marco Pantani’s house. On the Sunday dedicated to the Pirate, obviously Paolo and Tonina Pantani could not be missing from the village.
French irony
On the presentation stage, the race director Christian Prudhomme immediately takes a swipe at the Italy-France derby, addressing the (resigning) President of the Region Stefano Bonaccini. “You did everything to bring the tour to Emilia-Romagna and then the first stage was won by a Frenchman.”
Cesenatico’s greeting: “A day in the name of Pantani”
There is an impressive number of people around the starting village, which instead inside is closed and reserved only for accredited and invited guests. Among these a very excited mayor of Cesenatico Matteo Gozzoli, who plays host and greets everyone on a day that for a cycling enthusiast like him can only be special. The presentation of the teams, scheduled for 11, was anticipated on the starting podium by the award ceremony for the Municipality of Cesenatico, the region and the Pantani family. Both Paolo and Tonina were present. The awards were given by the two-time winner of the Tour de France Bernard Thevenet. Gozzoli was given the yellow jersey signed by Thevenet and a painting with the profile of today’s stage
“Today is an emotional day – Gozzoli said into the microphone – for us in Cesenatico everything is colored with a special atmosphere in memory of Marco Pantani who 26 years ago celebrated the Giro-Tour double. On the streets we will see a sea of fans who will welcome the champions in memory of Pantani. Thank you all”. The appetizer of the presentation ended with the awarding, by Prudhomme, of the photojournalist Stefano Sirottianother piece of history of the Tour “made in Romagna”.
Village with a Transalpine flavour
The interior of the village is a French representation of a village, with typical French products and a coffee that simply has nothing Italian about it. At the end of the village there is the presentation stage, where the presentation of the teams and the signing of the athletes will begin at 11am
Pantani’s yellow jersey
In front of the workshop of Vittorio Savini, historic president of the Club Magico Pantani, the flagship of Mercatone Uno is proudly displayed, wearing the yellow jersey from the triumph at the 1998 Tour.
A relic that belongs to the history of sport and that has captured the attention of fans.
