A story straight out of a heartwarming book. Racing and winning for a deceased uncle is not something that happens every day. It happened last Thursday evening to Francesco Vecchiutti, 20 years old, from Pozzuolo del Friuli (Udine), who races for Campana Imballaggi Geo&Tex Trentino and won solo the eighth Notturna Cochi Boni in San Donà di Piave.

Uncle Giorgio, 57 years old, died on Tuesday at the Udine hospital due to a tumor discovered a month ago. Inoperable. "I was heading to Livigno for a team training camp - Francesco recounts - and when I heard that my uncle had worsened, I immediately returned home."

After finishing his training, Francesco would always visit Giorgio at the Udine hospital. "I didn't think he would deteriorate so suddenly, even though we knew there was nothing to be done for his health - Francesco states - I would visit him every day and spend some time with him."

On Tuesday evening, Giorgio passed away. "I wanted to race in San Donà and finish alone". Said and done. When Alessandro Coden, the team's sports director, learned I was at home, he invited me to race. It didn't seem real. During the race, I had my uncle's photo in my pocket and would touch it occasionally." Until the race's finale. "I was in a group of four athletes - Francesco explains - three laps from the end, I attacked and no one could catch me. I was pedaling, pedaling for my uncle and didn't feel the fatigue. When I crossed the finish line, I had Giorgio's photo raised in my right hand, but, apart from my team, no one knew what I was experiencing. Now I'll carry this victory in the heart of my life, not just my sporting life."

Francesco Vecchiutti is 20 years old, born on May 25th in Tolmezzo. His father Luigi, 56, owns a furniture company. His mother Paola, of Chilean origin, is a dentist. His brother Riccardo is 17 years old and previously played soccer.

Francesco used to watch the Giro d'Italia with his grandfather, and that's where his passion for cycling began. He started racing in the Esordienti category with Libertas Ceresetto and continued in the Allievi category. He moved to juniors with the Tiepolo society and won his first victory in the province of Brescia. Meanwhile, he graduated from the Scientific High School in Udine and moved to the Under category. "Practically last year I hardly raced due to illness - Francesco recounts - I moved to Solme Olmo, the team where Simone Buda was captain - this season I had to start over with Campana. I did the Giro Next Gen and I'm a climbing-passer who loves the heat and will soon be competing on Tuesday, August 5th in Caselle di Sommacampagna and in the international races of Poggiana and Capodarco. There too, I'll have to do well for my uncle. I want to become a professional."

His cycling idol is Norwegian Jonas Abrahamsen from Uno-X Mobility, winner of the Toulouse stage in this Tour de France. "If I don't break through in cycling, I already have an idea. I'll go to university and follow my mother's path," says Francesco, who already has clear ideas about his life. No passions, except cycling.

An appeal for Francesco: anyone who has a photo of Francesco's victory finish, please let us know.