Francesco Moser will also be a protagonist at the Chamber of Deputies in Rome on Thursday, February 27th, at an event titled "Cycling, Values and Territories" where the Regional Cup will be presented. After interventions by Gianni Bugno, Vincenzo Nibali, and Beppe Saronni, here comes the contribution of the champion from Palù di Giovo.

Cycling within the Institutions is the leitmotif of this event held at the Chamber in the presence of President Lorenzo Fontana, as well as ministers Andrea Abodi, Eugenia Maria Roccella, and Daniela Santanchè.

"Personally," says the Trentino native Moser, "I have already been received in Rome several times, even at the Quirinal Palace, by President Francesco Cossiga, on the occasion of my hour record. I even gave the President my bike."

I am proud of this ceremony. Years ago, there were many more challenges, like the San Silvestro d'Oro, which took into account the most important results. It was the newspaper Stadio that organized it. There was also an amateur classification, which I won twice, and eight times for professionals. There were also the Golden Helm, dedicated to cycling personalities and riders (not to be confused with the one for sports directors), and the Golden Lily in Florence. We were obliged to be present, just like at race check-ins. Everything has changed now. However, I want to add that Rome has a long-standing connection with cycling. The Giro d'Italia also arrives here."

The Sheriff, fresh from a camp in Spain where he also pedaled with El Diablo Claudio Chiappucci and Gianni Bugno, provides his analysis of current cycling.

"At the moment, Italian cycling is not competitive, we lack teams. It's a real shame when we think that everyone used to come to Italy. Now the big problem, however, is the danger of the roads, especially for young riders."

The Trentino community recently experienced the tragedy of Sara Piffer.

"It's crazy. A retiree overtook in the middle of a populated area. The two Piffer brothers were in line, yet the girl was hit. Many families struggle to allow kids to go racing because there's so much fear. We should have more closed circuits where one can train safely. I've inaugurated some around Italy."

Moser continues his analysis and expands on the lack of facilities.

"We also have the problem of missing velodromes, yet we've won Olympic medals. We had the Six Days. We could build another velodrome in our country, considering how much was spent on the bobsleigh track in Cortina. A covered velodrome would be useful for winter and mid-season. We have several open-air ones, for example in Puglia in Monteroni. I won a World Championship in '76 on an outdoor wooden track. Every year a meeting was organized, but then it fell into ruin."