Cycling in Hamilton

Italian Captain Ballerini leads team to Canadian race

When cycling thousands of kilometres away from home, it's nice to see supporters waving Italy's tri-coloured flag. It feels a little bit like home. If it's true that at home we work harder, then when putting these two things together, it is understood how important supporters are when the cyclists feel their presence," says Franco Ballerini, captain of the Italian cycling team.
Therefore, if we want to ask a favour of all the Italian supporters that will be on the route, it will be to bring a lot of tri-coloured flags? "Of course. The more people there, the better it is for the boys."
In a telephone interview with Tandem,Franco Ballerini hit an emotional cord for many Italians in Canada inviting them Sunday, October 12, 2003 to provide a warm and colourful support. The team Azzurra will experience right away the warmth of the Italian public. In fact, on Monday, October 6, the team arrived from Milan and attended a dinner with several hundred Italians.
Where will you be accommodated?
"At the Holiday Inn in Oakville."
When will you begin training? When will you have the possibility to try the route?
"For sure, we will start Tuesday, but we don't know if and when we will be able to try the route. If it is possible, we will do it as soon as we can."
Usually, when the national Italian teams (soccer, basketball, volleyball) leave Italy, they take with them chefs and food from Italy. Do you do the same thing?
"Of course."
In the last few days, you said that the start of the race is the most important, something not easy to understand.
"The start of a race like this is important. To start well is to keep the race under control from beginning to end."
The favourites? Even Eddie Merckx said that Paolo Bettini is the favourite. Do you think that Grillo could meet this expectation?
"In 2003, Bettini won three World Cup trials. When one achieves these successes, everybody expects the highest level of performance. Paolo knows this. I don't think Merckx's prediction can distract him from doing well himself."
The other top cyclist could be Danilo Di Luca from Abruzzi. The Abruzzese community is the largest in Ontario. So, the cyclist could count on the support of immigrants, who expect a big race from him.
"I didn't know that about the Abruzzese community, but sincerely, I don't think that really means anything. For the Italian immigrants from any region, it is important that an Italian win. The fact that he is from Abruzzi could then give that little extra to the immigrants of that region. I don't think, though, that they would be sorry if an Italian from another region wins the race."
Another Italian name: Cipollini. The latest news indicates that he comes to Canada as an underdog. He has already stated that there is no space on the route for sprinters.
"If Mario will come with us, it means that he will race. However, his presence with the team has to do with the fact that he is a world champion. He has the right to be at the Games. The route is difficult and selective and it's not right for sprinters. Not because I wanted to, but I left behind Petacchi, that probably at this moment is the best sprinter in the world. In a race as long as this, with many competitors, it is important to be able to count on the cyclist that could most benefit the team."

Publication Date: 2003-10-12
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=3233