We at tuttobiciweb are strange people, we like to say we like something when we like it, whether it's a stage, a Giro, a rider, a "Race Trial". Naturally, being such strange people, we also like to say we don't like something when we don't like it. It's such an eccentric matter, in these times of gang wars, of taken sides, of submerged interests, of certainties and truths from only one side (one's own), that it can even seem incomprehensible. But this is how we are, thanks to director Stagi who interprets and protects this oddity, and it's simply impossible for us to change.

So, getting to the point: here I am, gladly talking about a surge – I can't say a Renaissance, not quite – of the "Race Trial", which for two-thirds of the Giro had been signaling itself as cosmic nothingness. Presenter Fabretti must have sensed something, so much so that he injected the tried-and-true Beppe Conti in the role of agitator-propagandist, with whom one can agree and disagree (this was never the problem, in the free exchange of ideas), but who certainly moves the waters with themes and arguments of strict current relevance. Moreover, on the day of Conti's installation, Fabretti also added Bettiol's trump card, currently awaiting his personal Renaissance (his team, Astana, is also very much waiting...).

So: suddenly, the surge. That day, in Gorizia, there was Tiberi's fall that led to Ciccone's withdrawal, and precisely that day, by coincidence, the "Trial" seemed to return to being a true true "Trial".

I want to say this without too many euphemisms: while waiting for Bettiol to return to being a rider worthy of his fame, there he revealed himself in just a few minutes as the best commentator of recent years. Fluid language, no commonplace statements like the Giro is still long, anything can happen (the team leaders take care of that), Bettiol went straight to the point and didn't hide behind possible colleague reactions, environmental conveniences, friendship calculations: freely and serenely, he immediately explained that for certain falls riders should do some soul-searching, et cetera et cetera. It's an opinion, not a truth, let alone a dogma. But damn, it's an argued, strong opinion, which indeed then stirred the waters and triggered a real discussion.

It's not the discovery of America, it's the discovery of hot water, but thank god the "Trial" has re-discovered its soul and its nature. I can't say if Fabretti simply stumbled upon the right type and day by pure chance, but at least the idea of changing something mid-course is his, and cannot be a matter of luck. This, alone, does him credit.

Too bad, a real shame, that Bettiol has already disappeared. Touch and go. At least Beppe Conti remains, on whom weighs the heavy task of lifting the Zavolian discussion in a limp and conformist, cautious and fearful, flat and predictable circle. Go Beppe, you are all of us. As for Fabretti – an impartial opinion – I dare to give him advice: keep Bettiol's name noted. He's by far the best commentator in town. Maybe, one day, if the logic of "friend of a friend" doesn't always prevail, the solution is already ready. Obviously, I'm not Bettiol's prosecutor, I'm not asking for commissions. I'm a subscribed viewer asking for the minimum union wage for what I pay.