Just minutes before the start of the press conference in Rome, currently underway at the Chamber of Deputies, we had the opportunity to meet the promoter of the law modifying Article 9 of the Highway Code: the so-called "Pella Law", which takes its name from its promoter, Roberto Pella, a Forza Italia Deputy, President of the Professional Cycling League and national ANCI vice-president and mayor of Valdengo.

An improvement long awaited that will significantly simplify the activities of organizers, marking a point in favor of cycling and running, ensuring more safety and simplifying procedures for issuing road sports competition permits.

Mr. President, this time you've scored a goal in an important match involving thousands of cycling races. More than a few have given you a cycling compliment: like Tadej Pogacar, when he targets an objective, he breaks away to reach the finish line with conviction and in quick time.
"I must say with pleasure that this comparison is made by many people, not least this morning by an analyst we all respect: Riccardo Magrini. Given his feat at the Tour of Flanders on Sunday, it can only please me. I admit with satisfaction that with this law we have managed to achieve a historic result. A law built together with the members of the Cycling League Commissions. In particular, I thank Prefect Roberto Sgalla, with whom I have long consulted, and various ministerial directors and officials. Thanks also to the Race Directors' world: you know I consider Mauro Vegni a valuable person who supported me. I thank the entire parliamentary world: Senate President Claudio Fazzone, colleague Andrea Caroppo at the Chamber, and the majority and opposition forces who unanimously voted for this law. We wanted to take into account the observations of all actors populating our sports world, thus doing good for cycling."

Let's get into the details: why is this law so important?
"It's a reform focused on simplification and reducing bureaucracy. We've modified the paradigm, introducing an innovative principle: Road sports competitions will no longer be prohibited without authorization, but will be allowed within the limits and conditions established by regulations. This marks a change from the previous discipline and promotes a faster regulatory framework for event organization. The obligation to obtain approval from competent authorities remains, with more rapid and defined procedures."

We seem to understand that this is a decisive change of direction...
"Absolutely yes. I want to highlight two other aspects. The first key element is the possibility of convening a services conference when authorizations involve multiple entities, facilitating coordination between peripheral and central administrations. The second relates to the role of Prefects: they are given the ability to issue a temporary traffic suspension order for the entire race route, and no longer just for extra-urban sections, leaving mayors to handle races occurring entirely within a single municipality. For almost all road races, individual ordinances for crossing various inhabited centers will no longer be necessary. This also simplifies the activities of municipalities, who now have Prefects as their reference point, who can deploy Police Forces and other national organizations for road safety".

Are there other aspects?
"The no-objection certificate is abolished as a condition for issuing authorizations. Here too, we are moving towards streamlining authorization processes and reducing costs, without ever losing sight of public safety, which is paramount and fundamental for organizers, athletes, and the public".

A revolution also facilitated by the constitutional amendment that established, in Article 33, that sport is a right for all citizens.
"We started right there: what we are approving today is an operational aspect of the principle established in Article 33, which assigns the Republic the task of promoting and protecting sport in all its forms. Particularly in the youth and amateur spheres. Running, walking, and cycling are the easiest, most accessible, and most practicable means for all citizens to combat sedentary lifestyles and non-communicable diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Moreover, the work I am carrying out with Ministers Schillaci and Abodi will allow us to approve my obesity law in the coming weeks, making Italy the first country in the world to recognize obesity as a disease".

Despite not being an insider, you have managed to understand the movement's needs, first by creating the Regions Cup, then by signing important protocols with the Regions Conference and Unioncamere. You have brought cycling back to institutions with events in Rome and Brussels, involving ministers. Additionally, as a League, you have equalized male and female prize money. Where do you want to go?
"We tackle things step by step. For now, we have focused on solving safety issues for the thousands of races taking place in various territories. As you can see, this law does not only concern professionals, who represent less than 3% of the total, but we are supporting the movement's core - the races of young people, amateurs, and simple enthusiasts".

Do you think you've made an unauthorized intervention?
"We have done good for sports. You see, I am a mayor, in my 5th term, and for all of us, the day lasts 24 hours non-stop. We mayors must be willing to handle everything. During this period, I have responded to everyone who has called me. My parliamentary email is easily accessible, and I receive many requests. Personally, I facilitate contacts and dialogue. I connect fellow mayors, sports associations with various stakeholders. As you say, perhaps it's not my job, but as a parliamentarian, I feel obligated to do it and I do it gladly. If I tell you the truth, and many can testify to this, I'm happy because in these days, already from the morning, I have resolved various issues for organizers and society presidents through dialogue, generating solutions. We all have the same goal".

Are you willing to work with everyone?
"Obviously yes, and particularly with the Federation and all its components. You see, my cell phone is the same one I've had for 35 years, since my mother gave it to me after my high school graduation. If I don't answer, I always call back shortly after".

If I asked you to make the number public so it can be directly contacted, would you be willing?
"Of course, it has always been available to everyone. In this case too, I leave it to anyone who needs to discuss something. If you have problems, call me at 335 - 5450686. The only thing I ask is not to invite me to award ceremonies, because I already have too many. There, I only dedicate myself to professionals".