On January 2nd, as every year, time stands still in Castellania-Coppi. It doesn't matter if the sky is clear or if there's the typical winter fog, nothing has changed and the fans of the Campionissimo have returned for that pilgrimage that is colored with the hues of history, epic, and sport, to remember the Airone, who closed his wings too soon. In the crowded church, in the first row as always are Marina and Faustino Coppi accompanied by their loved ones and just behind are the local authorities, with mayors and councilors and some carabinieri. There are also those who on January 2nd are called to receive the Welcome Castellania award, which this year went to Maurizio Formichetti and Luciana Rota, along with several mayors and the Chamber of Commerce of Alessandria.

Formichetti received the Welcome Castellania award for the commitment he puts every year into designing RCS race routes that pass through Abruzzo. Fausto Coppi never won on one of Abruzzo's iconic climbs, but it was September 1959 when he won in Lanciano at the Villa delle Rose track. That was his last triumph, before dying of malaria on January 2nd, 1960. Formichetti, very emotional, wanted to bring greetings from his region to Castellania, emphasizing his joy in receiving the award. "There is great emotion because I think my commitment to cycling is little, compared to everything Coppi did in his career - Formichetti said -. Today, many people still come to Castellania to pay homage to Fausto Coppi, and this happens because he was a great man, who through his victories was able to leave us important lessons that go far beyond sporting victory".

Luciana Rota also appeared emotional and wanted to dedicate a special thanks to her father Franco, Coppi's spokesperson and a man always involved in cycling. "The book I wrote, 'Fausto, my Coppi' was created thanks to what my father left me and in a sense, it's as if he had written it. I'm proud to be here today and for me, this award has a truly important value".

Coppi is still one of the most loved riders and his myth has crossed the Alps, reaching every corner of the world. Among the people who attended the January 2nd celebrations, there was also the French journalist Alex Ross, an expert in cycling, who often recounted the Campionissimo's feats in the pages of L'Equipe. "Coming to Castellania for me is like undertaking a pilgrimage. A journey to the home of one of the greatest riders of all time - explained Alex Ross - Coppi is a symbol even in France, and it's impossible not to talk about him when the Tour de France is run each year".

This year, a sentiment of emotion was present on many faces and even the two children of the Airone, Marina and Faustino, when they heard their father's voice played during the ceremony, shed a few tears that did not go unnoticed by those present.

"I've heard my father's voice many times - said Marina Coppi - But it's precisely the voice that one often fears forgetting. So every time I hear it, I get emotional". Many memories of Marina Coppi as a child, including when her father Fausto would take her on the crossbar of his bike. "It was strange for me when dad would take me on the crossbar of his racing bike to run some errands in the area. He would lean forward and I had little space and he would lean on me and I felt protected. People would stop him and ask for autographs. He was famous, but for me, he was just my father, so I started carrying a pen and some paper sheets, so I could also leave my signature to people".

Casa Coppi, as usual, was open on January 2nd and many people decided to visit the museum house dedicated to Fausto and Serse Coppi. The Giro d'Italia this year will return to Piedmont, with a finish in Novi Ligure during the twelfth stage on May 21st and then the start the next day, with an entirely Piedmontese route starting from Alessandria and ending in Verbania. For those days, Casa Coppi will organize events that will once again try to bring the memory of the Campionissimo among the enthusiasts who will descend on the roads of the pink race in May.