Two thousand in the saddle, with the “MuTandem” setting the pace

A procession of 2000 bicycles left, and later returned to the square in Brinzio, in the tenth “Pedal with the champions”. The participants were blessed with a wonderful day, with the sun doing what it could to make the 52 kilometres easier, after fears following Monday’s rain. After the group blessing at the monument to the “Madonna of cyclists”, the pace was set by an unusual two-seater vehicle (which was renamed the “MuTandem”), complete with a basket for wine, cheeses and cured meats, ridden by Stefano Zanini and one of the most welcome, non-Varese guests, Franco Pellizotti (see photo).

Behind them was the whole group, studded with jerseys of Italian and foreign professionals: Basso, Kreuziger, Nardello, Frattini, Freire, Cantele, Gasparotto, and many more, with Elia Luini as the leading representative of the “other sports.” Among the champions, there were ordinary people wearing the jerseys commemorating this extremely popular event, or the jerseys of the numerous associations from throughout North Italy, not only from Varese and the neighbouring provinces. However, the work of the organisers, which was truly huge on this occasion, given that there were twice the record number of participants of last year, does not end here. Over the next few days, after a special meeting, the charity groups to whom the money collected during the ride will go will be made known. It is certain that among them there will be the non-profit group Sestero, who support the Mutoyi hospital, in Burundi.

At the end, there was some hot tea for everybody, and a lunch prepared by volunteers to restore the strength of the participants. “Training is over for today” smiled Luini, who had taken a day off from the oars.

“Let me thank my ‘colleagues’, first Zanini and Frattini, and then the others,” added Basso. “Those of us who race professionally are unable to help in the preparations: those who have remained in Varese, did a fantastic job. And the participation of the people was also fantastic, they had really understood the spirit of the event.