What was a rector in official regalia doing on the stage of the sign-in sheet at the Giro d'Italia? Simple: awarding honorary degrees to three great cycling champions. It happened this morning in Formia, before the start of the seventh stage of the Giro d'Italia.

ISFOA Unitelematica International Swiss University - represented by its Rector Magnificus Stefano Masullo, a prominent figure in the financial sector, founder of independent financial consulting in Italy and author of bestselling business books - awarded degrees to Filippo Ganna, Simone Consonni and Jonathan Milan.

The Academic Senate of the Faculty of Sports Science and Techniques awarded the three Olympic and world champions an honorary degree in "Theory and Methodology of Training".

Yet another recognition for three champions who have written important chapters in the history of Italian and world cycling. A smile for them before a stage that will give them precious few reasons to smile...