In a personal memory and original
Aldo Piombino
One day in the first half of the year ’90, I was at Empoli with a friend to greet Renzo Maltinti, a bright character in the cycling world (and not only because it produces chandeliers …). Renzo’s daughter said to me, smiling, “go well beyond, is a gentleman.” We wondered who could be this man, given the tone used, at least one of us was bound to know; when we entered the office then and there sbiancai for the thrill, but shooting me right away, I said to my friend: “I have the honor to present to you Mr. Alfredo Martini, a man, a job, a myth.” I was just spontaneous, but I think that today, 20 years later, this is the most fitting definition to remember Alfredo Martini.
Alfredo Martini, a man: I intentionally put a capital letter, because it was really Martini and always a gentleman, firm in his principles and his ideas, but by exquisite manners and modest. After spending half an hour talking about athletes, but not only that, we left the Maltinti and my friend, who did not know him, but that had been conquered by the person, he said, “oh, but that man is a true Lord “. And it’s true: it was enough for a moment to figure it out to all those who met him for the first time. A year ago, during a visit on the world circuit (as I was glad I could see!), One of the volunteers of the service that was working said “Mr. Martini, you are a great.” Answer calmly, “No, it is you who are working great.” Here, even from these small episodes you see the man. It was not a person who “liked”, I do not feel the need. I think many others in similar roles in other sports, “you like so much” ….
Alfredo Martini, an assignment: 22 times the coach of the National Cycling Championships, with 6 titles and 14 other podiums ( if I’m not mistaken). A record hard to beat in a country accustomed to the quick replacement of coaches and national coaches. A period during which, moreover, the National Italian has always been unwelcome in the role of training to beat, not because the one with the best men, but because the team was “more of a team” of all. And it was universally riconosciutodi who was responsible for all this. Indeed, if it did not reach the victory “the fault was of the runners who have not done what the CT told him to do” (speech that I have heard so many times and I have always agreed ….) A remarkable fact in contrast with the rest of the people who have held similar roles. And this brings us to the third part of the definition.
Alfredo Martini, a myth: in this case it’s true myth. We analyze why: First, the prestige of the results, but this alone is not enough. It was the authority of this man, who has gone even beyond the results, thanks to his character. I do not think there can be in sports, at least in Italy, a figure that is representative, so beloved by both fans by insiders such as Alfredo Martini. An authority that has accompanied him to the last: it is not a coincidence that Davide Cassani, the first action by the new national coach of cycling, has gone to the house in Sesto Fiorentino Martini, which he was when he ran, one of the cornerstones of the outstanding National Tricolore.Come is not a coincidence that the last, triumphant for the Italian colors, Tour de France, during all the stages there was always a thought on the part of commentators Pancani Francesco and Silvio Martinello for the great old Italian cycling “that he must be following us.”
Cycling today that really has all the “right” of being an orphan.
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