February 14th has just passed. Another year gone by, with an emotional load that requires training and preparation. Just like winning the Giro and Tour. As the years separating us from the death of our god Marco Pantani increase (quoting Marco Pastonesi who in his book "Pantani was a god" cites John Gadret), what was once the drama of losing a friend now increasingly takes on the characteristics of the disappearance of a legendary figure in sports.

In this process of "legendization", the territory and people touched by Marco are increasingly involved. Cesenatico has always carved out its rightful role as the Champion's hometown. But until today, part of the story deserved a different light. The Mercatone team, so close to Marco, lived only through the stories of his many companion-squires, loyal beyond sporting duties. The usual events of economic globalization had struck the Mercatone Uno company, founded in 1975 by Imola entrepreneur Romano Cenni.

From the 1980s, the brand began to be successful, with 90 stores across Italy, 800 million euros in turnover, 4,000 employees, and by the late 1990s, the group tied its name to cycling and Marco Pantani. In the way we all know. And Pantani is still there, inside his giant marble, greeting the Italy traveling along the A14, in front of the tower that was the group's headquarters.

Globalization failed to sweep away the marble, the tower, and Romano's love for Cycling.

Today, from that tower, his daughter Micaela, together with her sisters Elisabetta and Susanna, has rebuilt a bridge towards Cesenatico and our historical memory. Romano's patrimonial and spiritual heirs have restored the CENTER TOWER in Imola, a modern conference center, and on the first floor they have donated a Cycling Memorial, "My Pantani, My Champions", dedicated to Romano, who passed away in 2017. The title is the same as his book, edited by Beppe Conti.

An incredible display, rich with love and memorabilia, which begins with Marco's bandanas and ends with Gianni Mura's words. Jerseys, bicycles, Gazzettas, refrigerator. Germanvox-Wega and Mercatone Uno. All this wonder is freely visitable. The password to enter: "I love Cycling". Such is the power of love, even that for a father who deserved it.