He gave himself a gift last November 22nd, going to a disco in Erbusco, in the province of Brescia, to meet his boy, that little Eddy Merckx named Tadej Pogacar, who for several seasons has been rewriting cycling history with elegant handwriting.

He went to the QI Clubbing disco to talk with the Slovenian "kid", current world champion, number one in world cycling for four seasons, winner of Giro and Tour a year ago, something that hadn't happened since Marco Pantani in 1998.

He gave himself a gift two and a half months ago, even though the party for Ernesto Colnago is today, on his 93rd birthday, which we'll use to exchange a few words about current cycling, very far from his own, yet so close.

First of all, happy birthday.

"Happy birthday to you and to all who love cycling".

You've gone through eighty years of cycling: from Coppi to Bartali, from Magni to Motta, Merckx and Saronni, to arrive at Tadej Pogacar.

"Cycling has changed tremendously, but to be a champion, the ingredients are always the same: desire, passion, constant attitude, and pure talent".

Can Tadej really get close to Eddy Merckx, the archetype of the winning rider, the most winning of all?

"Tadej is just 26 years old and has already won so much: three Tours, a Giro, a world championship, four Lombardy races, two Liège-Bastogne-Liège, one Tour of Flanders. He has incredible class, and what I like is his simplicity, his brightness, he transmits joy while pedaling".

Next Monday (February 17th), he'll make his seasonal debut at the UAE Tour: what do you expect from him?

"That he confirms himself. I also hope that Vingegaard, Evenepoel, Van Aert, Roglic, and Van der Poel are on point: it's beautiful to see these guys fight like lions: everyone loves to win, no one fears losing".

At the Tour this year there will be a final showdown: Vingegaard seems to want to settle the score...

"And he has every possibility, even though cycling-wise Tadej is more complete".

However, Milan-Sanremo (to be run on March 22nd) has always eluded him...

"Too simple a race for a rider like Tadej. If I were him, after so many editions of attacking, I would think about racing defensively".

He even went to a disco for him...

"I've never been to one, even when I was younger, but I wanted to greet him and have him sign some jerseys for my museum (LA Collezione, in Cambiago, directed by Alessandro Colnago, his nephew, ed.). It was nice to be able to compare notes with a guy who has already entered cycling and sports history".

What don't you like about this cycling?

"The crashes. They go too fast, especially because bicycles and materials are increasingly light and smooth. Everything is focused on lightness, but they should think about safety".

Meanwhile, Italian cycling has become a province of the world...

"Today, comparisons are no longer possible: once there were five reference nations, now cycling is globalized. Africa is also growing a lot, and the Chinese will come too. But let's be patient: Milan can become the fastest sprinter in the world, we're already excellent on the track, and there are some young guys growing well: I really like Giulio Pellizzari - he's very young and can do well. And then there's Antonio Tiberi, who at the Giro this year can reach the podium".

Meanwhile, there's a beautiful milestone to celebrate: 93 years.

"I'm well and serene, I only miss my Vincenzina, but I have an exceptional daughter and son-in-law and grandchildren and great-grandchildren that I adore. I ask for nothing more, just a bit of health to continue enjoying cycling and Tadej Pogacar, who still rides with my last name on his bicycle. So I thank you for the wishes, but in turn, I extend them to everyone: to Tadej and Mauro Gianetti who guides him wisely, to the new Colnago of Nicola Rosin doing beautiful things, to all who love cycling like myself. As they say: cycling is truly a beautiful family".