He was one of the strongest riders of the Seventies. An athlete of supreme class, with a character that perhaps didn't allow him to maximize what his talents could probably have guaranteed him, but in any case he wrote a significant chapter in cycling history, especially German cycling. 

Dietrich Thurau, known to all cycling enthusiasts as Didi, has returned to his second home: Italy. He returned at the invitation of the TotA organizers who asked him to start the stage from Laces. Born in '54, he'll turn 72 next November 9th, and he appeared in great shape and amid applause and handshakes he let himself go with a few memories in perfect Italian. «I've always loved your country and when the friends from Tour of the Alps called me, I didn't think twice: I always come to you willingly. I have many friends, many fans and, above all, many beautiful memories».

For twenty years he has been a Swiss citizen, living on Lake Constance, but Thurau has always been a citizen of the world. «I have friends in every corner of the globe and for me the earth is a palette of colors and feelings – he tells me -. I found a dear friend like Guido Bontempi, who is here at TotA as a motorcyclist on the staff of the legendary photographer Roberto Bettini: with him I also did a Milan Six-Day race. What memories…».

A talented rider who won a Liège ahead of his majesty Bernard Hinault. High-level placements, such as 3rd at the Roubaix, 5th at the Giro d'Italia, 5th at the Tour de France and 4th at the Vuelta. Strong on the road, but also on the track. In total more than 150 victories in his career. «I had fun and achieved several satisfactions, although perhaps a world championship is missing from my palmares… the one in San Cristobal, for example, behind Francesco Moser, could have been mine. In the final he gets a puncture and I don't notice it. He was quick to do everything very fast and I was a fool not to take advantage of it».

Not exactly a fool but a beast was at Valkenburg, when practically with a move on the edge of recklessness he knocked down poor Giovanni Battaglin on his best day and the world championship ended up with Jan Raas. «The Italians never forgave me for that episode. Many said I had done everything to deliberately make Raas win, but that's not true. I swear to you. I made a wrong move, and I made it on worldwide television, at a moment of racing too important for cycling history, but these are things that happen, unfortunately».

Didi smiles (in the photo, with his partner Susanna) and signs autographs. He poses for selfies and gives himself with great generosity. «It's too beautiful to be here, at this race that grows year after year and shows the best face of cycling to come. A year ago we saw and applauded Paul Seixas, this year we're appreciating Pellizzari and Finn: by the way, cheer up, Italy isn't doing so badly. You have more than one interesting young rider: you're on the right track. You won't believe it, but I'm rooting for you».