Lately, he has gone off the radar. Strategies of a long-time commissioner or because a milestone birthday is approaching?

Good morning Marco Saligari, we were getting worried. Next May 18th you'll cross the 60-year milestone, better to go unnoticed?
"Funny you say that! No, not at all. I'm always on a bike - right now in Chianti with a group of foreign tourists discovering some areas of our country - but away from cameras. I worked for 25 years on TV from Swiss TV to Rai, through Eurosport and Sky with Bike Channel. Then experiences end, but always with deep gratitude for what I've lived".

25 years on TV, more than those on the bike or we're close.
"Always and anyway on a bike or talking about this world that is still my life. Now I accompany Americans, Canadians, and Mexicans along routes that cross wonderful places in our Italy. A sort of bicycle guide".

A commissioner at work with them too? Questions galore?
"Always! Since GB Baronchelli gave me this nickname at the beginning of my career, I've never held back. I'm curious, I like to know more about the people in front of me, without being intrusive or invasive. So I ask foreigners about their lives, the stories they have to tell. Not during the stages, but in the evening at the table. These are fun, interesting, and exchange-filled moments".

Three Giro d'Italia stage wins (1992 Sondrio, '93 Valle Varaita, '94 Caserta), those days are coming, those unique Giro days.
"What memories, what emotions. I always follow the races, sometimes I'm in the car and stop to watch a stage finish on my phone. That passion never goes away. Now I'm curious to see who will triumph in the end: the 'old' Roglic or the new Ayuso? And among our riders, I would love to see another Nibali".

Your moment to frame at the Giro?
"The evening of the Sondrio victory, I arrive at the table for dinner and my teammates welcome me with applause. I see that on the table, along with the flowers, there's a bottle of champagne and I tell them: this isn't from you. Ferretti gives me a hand by pointing to the note on the bottle's neck. Do you know what was written? 'Marco, this victory is truly deserved. Signed Miguel Indurain'".

A commissioner caught off guard.
"Really, Indurain with Banesto was in the same hotel. He was dining at a table a bit further from my Ariostea. I was speechless".

Happy birthday, Marco Saligari. Commissioner forever.