Ivano Fanini, owner of Amore e Vita, did not take well to the firm closure, confirmed by Thursday's press conference, regarding his proposal to have Mario Cipollini give the start to the Giro d'Italia stage in Porcari on May 20th.

"It is incomprehensible that my proposal was not even considered, because objective, sporting and historical elements are being ignored - explains one of the most important figures in contemporary and world cycling - As everyone knows, I have always had disputes with Mario Cipollini, but that does not prevent me from seeing reality. Mario Cipollini is an absolute icon of world cycling and it often happens that when he appears at cycling events, he overshadows everything else with his fame and notoriety. He, besides being the record holder for stage wins in the Giro Rosa, is inextricably linked to the cycling history of Porcari, which with me and him reached its highest peaks".

And further: "The victory in the 1985 Junior World Championship with the Porcari-Fanini jersey is certainly by far the best result in Porcari's sporting history and there is no reason why it should not be remembered at such a significant event, simply by entrusting the role of starter to the person who achieved it. A closure that finds no justification, not even if one wants to resort to ulterior motives that have nothing to do with sport. This is about celebrating to the fullest the Giro d'Italia stage that will start from Porcari, through one of the most important figures in international cycling. I therefore appeal to the executives of Sofidel, to the mayor of Porcari Fornaciari and also to RCS owner Urbano Cairo to reconsider all of this, involve Mario Cipollini for a beautiful celebration of sport, Lucchese and Porcarese".