This is the last interview with Saverio Metti, current president of the Tuscany Regional Committee of the Italian Cycling Federation, as on Sunday the assembly of Tuscan societies will take place, during which the new Committee will be elected and will remain in office until December 2028.
"Before the interview - states Metti - allow me on behalf of Tuscan cycling, to extend deep condolences to the families of workers who died at the Eni plant in Calenzano, and wishes of recovery to all the injured".
FCI President Dagnoni said that the Federation in the four-year period coming to an end has operated for the best.
"I don't entirely agree, there were other important aspects. There was a lack of verification and therefore the necessary interventions were not made".
And what do you think about the work of the Tuscany Committee in these 4 years?
"I'm not happy with the work, it's true that we've done several things, but I haven't been able to make people understand the importance of our sport and therefore bring young people to cycling".
What should have been done that the Committee did not do?
"In Tuscany we have a 10 percent decline in very young cyclists compared to 2019. We must start from the base societies, undertake initiatives for the safety of this sport, have training places that give tranquility to parents and safety to those who cycle. At the moment I leave, I wish to sincerely thank all my collaborators who accompanied me in these 4 years, the commissions that worked at their best, all the various workers. It was a beautiful and useful experience".
President, a province like Prato will not have a Provincial Committee.
"It's a pity not to have one more society with voting rights among the 9 existing ones, to have a Committee".
In just over a month, the National Assembly, Tuscany presents two candidates for vice presidency, is Tuscany therefore divided?
"I don't think of the Region as split in two. Maurizio Ciucci presented his candidacy without consulting the Committee, mine is a candidacy without a team, which is why I consider myself a free and independent voice. We'll see what happens".
Only one candidate for the presidency of the future Committee is not much for Tuscany...
"I agree, it's not a good sign for the Region".
An unforgettable season with the Tour de France starting from Florence and the national championship.
"Toscana Tricolore 2024 offered excellent results. I believe that the format adopted by Tuscany can be imitated in the future. We had an excellent economic-financial response, with expenses of about 470,000 euros and revenues slightly over 500,000. What remains will be invested in activities by the next Regional Committee that will emerge on Sunday".
How did you manage to close in profit?
"Thanks to the Tuscany Region, local authorities, various administrations and I want to add forcefully that we did not ask for even one euro from organizing societies and even less money from sponsors committed to societies carrying out activities".
Several other initiatives were undertaken by the Committee until the end.
"We moved in various directions, we made contacts, we will need to insist and I am sure that the future Regional Committee to be elected next Sunday, December 15th, will take care of it. We have an excellent relationship with institutions, with the regional CONI, and therefore we must not let any of the initiatives presented regarding safety and facilities fall. Tuscany, without being presumptuous and vain, is a leading region in the cycling movement".
Satisfactions for the results obtained were not lacking, you gave impetus to various trips with regional representatives.
"The gold medal in track cycling at the Olympics by Vittoria Guazzini, the world champion jersey in track cycling by Fabio Del Medico in China, the victory of Sveva Bertolucci in the Italian Women Beginners Championship, the CONI Trophy at national level with the very young, and allow me to remember, since he is Tuscan, the success in the Italian Absolute Professional Championship by Alberto Bettiol, were all exalting moments for Tuscan cycling. Among the organizations, I want to mention the Italian Time Trial Championships for all categories held in Grosseto, where local managers did a stupendous job, on a traffic-free route".