Alessandro Ballan is the last Italian world champion. Varese 2008 is far away, in three years we might celebrate twenty years of a milestone we haven't celebrated for a while. "I hope this doesn't happen," says the 45-year-old Venetian from Castelfranco, smiling and always available, here at the Giro for Banca Mediolanum. Frankly, I'm sorry to have this record, some find it hard to believe me, but when I say I don't care, I'm telling the truth. The important thing is to have been world champion, but now it's time to celebrate a new world champion, although I won't hide that I fear we'll have to wait a bit longer. Perhaps I won't just celebrate twenty years, but twenty-five, but I'll be happy if that doesn't happen."

Happy to be at the Giro, happy to see a race that is entertaining him.

"It's true, the big names are missing, there's no Pogacar phenomenon or his direct rival Vingegaard. Evenepoel is also absent, but the level of this Giro is high. I spoke the other evening with Davide Formolo, and he confirmed that they're going very fast: the average level is very high. And then look at how many interesting young riders are in the group, starting with the top three in the standings. Del Toro is only 21 years old, Ayuso, who is perhaps more developed, is just 22, our Antonio Tiberi is 23: in short, three riders of absolute level, who represent the present and future of a sport that has risen in quality. Today, races are run with great boldness and courage. Certain riders with great personality understood this first, and subsequently the teams realized it's right to give them space. Better a spectacular defeat than a meager victory. Today there's no fear of making mistakes, these guys should only be applauded."

But how will this Giro end?

"The pink jersey is wide open. I'm curious to see how the contest between Del Toro and Ayuso within UAE will play out. I'm very curious to see Tiberi in action, just as Ciccone, who is still there. Roglic is an experienced rider and for me remains the beacon, the obvious favorite. For the ciclamino jersey, I think there's little to say: Mads Pedersen is a phenomenon. For the white jersey, it's the same situation as the pink jersey: a duel within UAE. For the blue Mediolanum jersey, at the moment, Lorenzo Fortunato truly deserves it. He's a great guy, with contagious sympathy, who also appeals to fans. He's going very strong, and I wouldn't mind at all if he manages to bring it to Rome."