Among the many variations of Canavese cycling, the sweetest is interpreted by Silvia Grua, a 50-year-old from Villareggia, who confides: "I pedal to offer hope, to give a smile". A mood that stems from her personal story, marked, about fifteen years ago, by her encounter with cancer: "I was athletic, a runner, then the disease changed everything. I overcame the tumor, even a recurrence, and my life evaluation parameters changed. I realized what the most important values are and how crucial it is to support research, so that more and more people can exit that path, as I was able to do".

On Saturday, September 13th, Silvia will once again challenge the Broglina slopes to raise funds for the Umberto Veronesi Foundation, as she did in 2021 when she completed her "Everesting", climbing the slope 27 times to reach the height of the world's highest peak (8,848 meters). She succeeded in just over 18 hours, and in a few days she will try to do more: "What's higher than Everest - she asks -? The sky! So I've named my new challenge 'Beyond the Clouds', which will see me engaged for 24 hours, without interruption, to surpass 8,848 meters and go beyond, as far as my legs will allow me to go".

Four years ago, Silvia's feat allowed her to raise almost 14,000 euros. Today, her goal is twofold: "Athletically, I aim to exceed the elevation of 2021, and I hope the amount donated to the Veronesi Foundation will also be higher. I hope this especially because this time the objective is more specific: the funds raised will be dedicated to the Foundation's research in pediatric oncology to support research and treatment for children and teenagers with cancer. The disease took a lot from me and as a woman, it denied me a dream: I couldn't have children. That's why I want to pedal for those 1,400 children and 800 adolescents who are struck by cancer each year in Italy: they deserve a future, they are our future".

Tomorrow, the Vuelta will pass through the Broglina slopes, and for Silvia, it will be something special: "It's exciting to think that one of the world's most important races will pass on this road, which I now consider mine, and great champions will pedal on these turns. Unfortunately, I won't be able to watch the passage because I'm busy in Austria, in the Ötztal valley, preparing for 'Beyond the Clouds', on the roads that annually host the Ötztaler Radmarathon, one of the most important European gran fondo events".

Cycling was a calling that Silvia discovered only in mature age, after her recovery, but which became all-encompassing: "At 38, I bought my first bike and... when I clip in now, when the shoe goes 'clak', it's magic. The bicycle has allowed me to go further, both physically and metaphorically: cycling has allowed me to achieve many things, to reach important goals. And the challenge on September 13th fits into this framework".

It will be possible to support Silvia's cause by either accompanying her on the Broglina slopes to share at least a part of her feat, or by contributing to the fundraising already active on the website https://insieme.foundazioneveronesi.it/campaign/silvia-oltre-le-nuvole-una-sfida-per-i-bambini/. "On the day of the challenge - Silvia adds - there will be a Foundation station where it will be possible to leave a donation. Small or large, it will be an important contribution to reaching our goal". The premises are good: the online collection is already active, and the forty or so supporters who have already done their part have donated over three thousand euros; it will be possible to make a contribution until December 31st.

Silvia extends a "Thank you!" to Bollengo, particularly to Mayor Luigi Sergio Ricca: "He offered me the broadest availability and support, both four years ago and in this new adventure. I can say we speaks the same language, as he is also a cycling enthusiast, and he makes me feel at home every time I'm in the town".

In 2021, Ricca was among those who accompanied Silvia "towards the Everest peak", and thinking about it today pushes him to a reflection: "We often comment on Silvia Grua's feats focusing on the solidarity aspect, on her social commitment, but I would like to emphasize that she is an extraordinary athlete: in 2021, I climbed the Broglina with her when she had already completed several climbs, but despite being quite trained, I really struggled to keep her pace, because her athletic performances are truly exceptional".