He says many things even with flowers, just like Merckx. Tadej Pogacar once again stands out for those attentions that are not typical of everyone, but of those who are champions at heart and who have a good soul.

The story is told by a 93-year-old gentleman, Ernesto Colnago, who was in Bergamo yesterday to witness yet another feat of a first-magnitude champion, who shatters records, adjectives, and superlatives.

"I was there, watching him enchanted on the podium - he tells me, the great builder from Cambiago, who a few months ago was also awarded an honorary degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Polytechnic of Milan - when I see him come down and hand me the flowers that belong to the winner: 'Ernesto, these are for you: take them to Vincenzina tomorrow'. I was speechless. A beautiful gesture, for my Vincenzina who passed away on June 2nd, 2017, and I today, as every day, went to place those flowers that filled my heart. A gesture that takes me back in time, to September 5th, 1971, when Eddy (Merckx, ed.) won the world championship in Mendrisio. As promised, the next day Eddy came with his wife and his sports director to our home to give the winner's flowers to Vincenzina: that day was our wedding anniversary".

Two great champions, who knew how to say many things while riding their bicycles, but also with flowers.