Only cycling can gift certain fairy tales, and last Sunday's Italian Championship reminded us of this. Filippo Conca and his Swatt Club have accomplished something crazy and moving (if you haven't done so yet, listen to the latest episode of BlaBlaBike with the emotional and emotion-filled words of the president of this now-famous society, ed.).

The Kind Words of Covi and Conca after the Italian Championship

The value of this guy's success, who was cut off from professional cycling after 4 seasons, is recognized even by those who finished behind him. Alessandro Covi today posted a photo of the national podium on his Instagram page and explained in a few words what it means to be part of a group, a family, like that of cycling.

"Defeat? Disappointment? Regret? It could be called many things, my second place on Sunday. The reality is that I gave everything to try to wear that national jersey. Was it a race that could change my career? Certainly yes. But one thing consoles me: for Filippo Conca, it won't just change his career, but his life. He was almost about to quit, now he can start again. Start again with a prestigious jersey... a jersey that one day I will want to wear too. Congratulations Filippo, good luck for the future. Now I look ahead, towards the next goals" writes the guy from Varese, the same age as the Italian Champion from Lecco, who promptly replied.

"Thanks Ale, you're a gentleman. We've known each other since we were 6 years old, we've participated in many Italian championships together in the youth categories with the region. I still remember the Italian championship you won in 2012 as a beginner in Pieve di Soligo when I fell on the descent but despite the disappointment, I was super happy for you. Sooner or later this jersey will come because you would have deserved it just as much as me since you were the strongest on Sunday. Thanks for the kind words" Conca's response, Crampo to his Swatt Club friends.

Who is the Man Who Hugged Him at the Finish Line?

That the world of two wheels is special, we who have the privilege of telling it and you who read about it daily on this site know, but another moment from an unforgettable Sunday gives us the opportunity to emphasize it once again. Do you remember the gentleman in the green jersey and pink cap who hugged Filippo after the finish line in Gorizia? The one who, while the new champion was crying his eyes out thinking about everything he had been through because of this cycling, hugging him tightly, told him: "It's all yours, this jersey is all yours. It repays you for everything". Many would have imagined he was a friend or a family member, perhaps a sports director who has followed him since youth categories, but instead, Filippo has no idea who he is. He himself said so on social media.

This perfect stranger, who has already become a meme online, pronounced the words that each of us would have said to him while seeing him cry uncontrollably. A scene unthinkable in any other sport. As if a simple fan entered the field at the end of a football or tennis match. When would that ever happen? Cycling is unique for this: champions are close to the public, who suffer, rejoice, and dream with them. Speaking of dreams, today we told you the story of Swatt Club, whose motto since the beginning has been Road to World Tour. A madness? Maybe, but try to bet against those who never give up. We can't.

[Resto del codice HTML Instagram invariato]