By Leone Belotti
Stage 21: Rome-Rome, 118 km
While in Rome the Giro is at the final catwalk, at the Rosti Bar we are already taking stock.
«Let's face it: Nobody ever liked Froome, not even his team.»
“A robot that pedals like a mechanical duckling, protected by tanks.”
«The sadness of scientific cycling.»
"And then what happens instead? On the Coppi peak, a lion emerges from the ugly robot-bird snare, and performs a legendary feat. Madness, courage, fury. A legend!"
In addition to Froome's exploit, the hot topics are: the Italians, the Bergamaschi, the Rosti teams, and what kind of Giro this Giro has been, and what kind of woman my woman is, and whether it is worth chasing her or not.
«The Giro, with this Giro, which is the first Giro Rosti, has proven to be the toughest and most spectacular stage race in the world.»
"The only really negative note is the Italians. Viviani aside, the men in the standings..."
«Aru didn't have legs, Pozzovivo never believed it.»
On the Bergamo riders, however, a debate begins with two opinions and a (controversial) theorem. One opinion is that our two boys from Androni (Cattaneo and Masnada)
did very well, trying and coming close to victory, while Barbin and Villella, who also showed themselves, could have done more. The second opinion is linked to the Berlinguer theorem:
«just look at the roll of honor». «We have won 8 editions out of 101 of the Giro. Gimondi 3 times, Gotti and Savoldelli 2, Pesenti 1.» «Apart from Savoldelli, the others are from Val Brembana.
Also at this Giro, apart from Cattaneo, the other 3, Masnada, Barbin and Villella are from Val Brembana. They should have done more.»
The Berlinguer theorem is that if they are from Val Brembana they must be champions.
"But isn't Barbin from Osio?" says Marelli, and Berlinguer, impassive: "Osio is in the Brembo river basin." Gino: "Good, so Brembate is also in the Brembana Valley."
Brembate is the town of Gino, Marelli, Mery, and the Rosti knitwear factory.
And so the conversation shifts to the Rosti uniforms.
«Androni Giocattoli deserves a 9. For a 10, they needed a stage victory.»
"I expected more from AG2R. They'll make up for it at the Tour."
«But the remarkable thing is to have debuted with this spectacular Giro».
At that point my phone rings, I go out to answer it, and when I come back they nail me.
"What's the matter? Did the other one leave her? Did she realize that you're her man?"
“Show us what he looks like, at least.” “Not just his face.”
I say, "There's no way around it."
"Let's do this: show it to Mery, she's a woman, let's hear what she says."
I give in. I open the “princess portrait” gallery and give Mery my phone. There are only 5 photos. Mery looks at them for less than 1 minute.
"I don't want to be wrong or hurt you, cutie, but the impression is that she's one of those women who as soon as a man appears... become innocent and abandoned puppies,
needy of everything: while in reality they know how to manage just fine on their own. And they make everything you do for them seem normal. They, on the other hand, wouldn't lift a finger for you.
And that seems normal to you too."
I am speechless. To the heart of the problem with the precision of a surgeon.
In the meantime the group crosses the finish line, the Giro ends, and Ganassì enters.
"Rosti che Giro! Hi brother, you really look like someone who needs to buy me a drink."