Defining Fabrizio Borra, who passed away this morning at just 64 years old, simply as a physiotherapist would be reductive: he was a friend, confidant, and support during difficult times for sports champions, entertainment personalities, and many ordinary people who turned to him.

Originally from Brescia, moved to Forlì in 1990 where he opened a physiology center that became an international reference point thanks to him, Fabri was a pioneer in his work, delving into American methods and embracing the concept that prevention is always better than cure. He was also an example of how one can be a champion by staying behind the scenes.

His name is linked to personalities like basketball player Bob McAdoo (basketball was one of his first loves), Fernando Alonso, whom he followed from the beginning until last season, showman Fiorello and singer Jovanotti, recently back on his feet after a serious accident in the Dominican Republic - artists who, like athletes, need to reach the top in their stage performance.

But he is especially known for Marco Pantani's rebirth, putting him back on the bicycle in 1996 after the frightening Milano-Torino accident that seemed about to end the Pirate's career: thanks to Borra, the Romagna champion first returned to cycling, then conquered the Giro and Tour.

"They say I helped Marco, but he taught me a lot too," he would modestly confide to friends. These friends were many, especially in cycling, where he followed established champions and others: including Olympic athletes Viviani and Bettini, Cipollini, and even Pogacar after his Liège accident. In his center, another Olympic athlete, high jumper Gianmarco Tamberi, who after last year's world championship gave him an affectionate thought, knowing about the illness Fabrizio was fighting. Despite this, he had recently returned to Jovanotti's side, who on one occasion defined him as 'a legend, the greatest of all'. And great now is the pain of those, like TuttoBici, who had the opportunity to know and appreciate him. Fabrizio leaves his wife Enia and sons Luca, athletic trainer, and Daniele, also a physiotherapist.