ROMA – It was not Coppi and Bartali, but he ran with them and scored the same indelible pages of the history of Italian cycling and worldwide. Alfredo Martini during his long life until the last kilometer, dying at his home in Sesto Fiorentino at the age of 93 years (completed in February). For all has always been ‘the father’ of cycling, for many still ‘coach’.
runner has had an honest life gregarious, close to great as Coppi and Bartali. Immense instead in his life twenty years from coach. The Giro he remembered with more emotion was that of ’46. “Paris was bombed, the tour did not come, and then all were in Italy – said on the occasion of his 90th birthday – there was the question of Trieste, but Torriani and Cougnet wanted to pass on the same tour there and the Americans considered it a provocation. A Pieris threw stones and flowers and many runners are injured, later we were shooting with the soldiers of Titus and the group stopped, but he convinced Torriani 17, one for each team, to continue and Trieste was a triumph. Though then the Giro was suspended one day. ” Other times, but the spirit of those who go on the bike for Alfredo Martini has always been the same.
For more than 20 years in flagship ct six years as director of sports and many kilometers in legs of an athlete: Alfredo Martini has left its mark everywhere. By ct, position held from 1975 to 1997 (he left Nov. 18, 1997), led to the worldwide success of six athletes: Francesco Moser in 1977 in San Cristobal (Venezuela), Giuseppe Saronni in 1982 at Goodwood (Great Britain), Moreno Argentin in 1986 in Colorado Springs (United States), Maurizio Fondriest in 1988 in Ronse (Belgium), Gianni Bugno in 1991 in Stuttgart (Germany) and in 1992 in Benidorm (Spain).
Fiorentino, in nearly a quarter of a century only six times a blue shirt is not on the podium and in addition to the six world golds, 7 silvers Martini led to Italy (Ostuni Moser 1976, Moser 1978 Nurburgring, GB Baronchelli 1980 Sallanches, Saronni 1981 Prague, Claudio Corti 1984 Barcelona, 1987 Argentin Villach, Chiappucci 1994 Agrigento) and 7 bronzes (Tino Conti 1976 Ostuni, Bitossi 1977 San Cristobal, Argentin 1985 Montello, Saronni 1986 S. Colorado, 1990 Utsunomiya Bugno, Pantani in 1995 Duitama, Bartoli 1991 Lugano). The years were triumphant in 1977 with the first place of Moser and the third Bitossi; and 1986 with gold and bronze Argentin Saronni.
As sports director led the Ferretti 1969 to 1972, leading to success in the Tour of Italy 1971 Swede Gosta Pettersson; in 1973 and ’74 was the Sammontana and in 1975 went up on the flagship of the country.
From Martini rider won the Tour of the Apennines in 1947 Giro del Piemonte in 1950, a stage in the Tour of Italy in 1950, when he finished third in the overall standings behind Koblet and Bartali: in that year wore the pink jersey for one stage. He also won a stage in the Tour de Suisse in 1951, finished third behind Kubler and Koblet.
Moved the memory of the CONI president Giovanni Malagò: “With Martini goes the last of the great witnesses of an epic that has made cycling one of the most popular sports in Italy. E ‘was the greatest coach in the history of cycling, winning six World Championships and over the years becoming an essential point of reference for the entire world of sport to whom he dedicated his whole life before an athlete, then as a coach, and finally as manager. cycling Without him now is definitely poorer. A final word: Thanks Alfredo. “
Vincenzo Nibali, winner of last year’s Tour, has entrusted his message of condolence Twitter: “He could not meet a more sad news this !! Goodbye Alfredo Martini, large MAN, your words will be missed !!.”
The current
ct Davide Cassani fondly remembers his relationship with Martini: “The nicest compliment received is heard myself say that I was the man of Alfredo Martini. I’ve always been proud of it. I was not a champion but Martini gave me the blue shirt 9 times and made me his confidant. I can say that was the figure most beautiful, most important, the most serious of Italian cycling. “And again:” I saw him recently at the last stage of the Tour, for the award of Nibali. I went to find him at home, he was tired and could hardly speak, but shook my hand as if I wanted to say that it was still close to me and that I remained one of his. “
The President of the Council Matteo Renzi has expressed condolences to the family of the government Martini in a phone call to his daughter Silvia. And then he said: “I remember a great man who honored the Italian and world sport. Imprinted in my heart his words to the young people in various circumstances, the values that the world of sport teaches. “
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