He didn't live the cyclist's life. Waking up at dawn, then breakfast, training, five-six hours on the bicycle, better the shower bath, massages, dinner, and sleeping at sunset. Every day, every week, every month, every year, for all years. No, Giuliano Biatta - he confesses it himself - didn't live the cyclist's life. And yet he raced for four years as a professional cyclist.

Biatta, why not the cyclist's life?

"Because I was young, because cycling was just a parenthesis, a corner, a part of my life, because few studies, only up to middle school, evening classes for second and third grade, because there was work to do at home, in the trattoria, washing dishes, serving tables, cleaning floors, shopping, taking care of the cellar, learning cooking, because I didn't bet on myself, because I thought doing one's duty was enough. And so I lacked endurance. After 150 kilometers I would run out of steam. Once resistance was gone, I would struggle to survive".

Why cycling?

"Because it was a way to escape, to flee, to go on the run, to make an effort and feel good afterwards. Dad was a cycling fan, and when I asked if he could buy me a bicycle, he immediately agreed. Mom was much more cautious, thought it was dangerous, and was more worried, thinking it was a distraction. The first bike, bought in Lodi, was heavy as a gate, even though it was called Coppi and was sky blue like a Bianchi. The first race right in Lodi, organized in the park, a kind of ABC for kids, I wore a white shirt with Coppi's face printed on it. The first victory as a beginner, and the second, both by a significant margin".

A little champion?

"Almost. Amateur at Passerini, a giant, some victories and many placements, teammate and roommate of Giovanni Battaglin, with whom I turned professional at Inoxpran. In 1981 Giro and Tour, it was Tour de l'Avenir, open to everyone, amateurs and professionals, I saw the head of the race, fourth, fifth and eighth stage positions, a more open way of racing, ready-go and full throttle, while among professionals at a certain point the turbo switches on and you make superhuman efforts".

Domestique?

"My job was to stay close to Battaglin. As long as I could. Some days I managed. Tirreno-Adriatico 1981, prologue in Rome, four-five kilometers time trial, Moser first, 'if you didn't plant yourself on the pavé...' Davide Boifava, our sports director, praised me. Gran Premio di Camaiore, after the 1981 Giro, that day I saw the finish, Saronni first, me ninth, I was so happy that when I returned to the hotel, I went to the beach and dove into the sea. Four days later, the 1981 Italian Championship in Compiano, 250 kilometers, I had to set the pace, keep it high, Moser first, Battaglin twentieth, me with him, twenty-sixth, and Boifava congratulated me, and Alfredo Martini, the team manager, considered me for the World Championships, wanted to include a young rider as a reward and experience, then chose Lorenzi, perhaps, who knows, also because he was Tuscan like him. In 1982 Giro and Tour, it was Tour de France, I arrived in Paris, at the Champs-Élysées, I was called to the TV station by Adriano De Zan, he asked - hopefully - if I would repeat this experience, I answered no thanks, and he - disappointed - immediately took the microphone away from me".

Then?

"In 1985 I returned to the family trattoria, La Speranza in Cavenago d'Adda, learned cooking from my mom, there it took more endurance and resistance than in cycling, seven days a week, 12 working hours a day, but dancing all day. Homemade, thus Lombard cuisine, appetizers with cold cuts, cotechino, small omelettes..., first courses with risottos in all ways, including the one with ribollita ragù and the one with pumpkin and stracciatella and coffee aroma..., main courses from horse meat marinated in red wine to hare in salmi..., and always handmade casoncelli...".

Clientele?

"Very loyal. Occasionally even cyclists. Guido Bontempi was a good eater, he preferred risotto with peaches and prawn tails with licorice aroma. Old Remo Tamagni would come here, later a bartender in Lodi, with his wife and daughters, a grumbler whom time had even softened. Old Tranquillo Scudellaro would also come here, later a commercial agent, he was the one who preached the cyclist's life, 'every training day you must simulate a race day', he would recommend, 'go out on bike at nine in the morning and return at four in the afternoon', he would explain to me, 'then legs in the air and read La Gazzetta dello Sport', he would allow. If only I had listened to him".

And now?

"Closed the trattoria a year ago, I enjoy the house, family, nature and cycling on TV".