The Giro d'Italia is a gigantic machine governed by only one rule: you cannot stop. There are the teams, the athletes, the organization staff, the advertising caravan, the guests of the day and us journalists who rush around between the start and finish trying to bring you all the information possible. There are different ways to tell a stage story, but this time we decided to do it in a slightly different way.

For an unconventional account, we could only choose one of the non-Italian stages of the Giro, but for us, never mind Bulgaria, it was enough to cross the mountains and pass through a border. At first glance, someone thought they were still in Italy, there was even someone who didn't even notice crossing the border, but the last week of the pink race opened with a day entirely in Swiss territory. From Bellinzona to Carì, just 113 km, the shortest but also most feared stage of the group: 3000 meters of elevation gain, over 30°C, pure hell. For the occasion we were hosted by Kometa, an agribusiness company specializing in pig farming, meat processing and transformation, among the sponsors of the Giro and one of the first to believe in the reality of Polti Visit Malta. Once we counted everyone present, we set off on our adventure. We immediately understood that our journey would be unforgettable, and we had an exceptional person as our driver and guide. Luciano Gasparotto, known to everyone as il Gaspa, is one of those characters that's hard to describe with simple words—a friend, a passionate enthusiast, they've even named him an ambassador of cycling, always present, always ready to lend a hand, but above all, always bringing passion. To understand exactly who we're talking about, we recommend spending at least an afternoon in his company. After less than half an hour of travel, he had already put us at ease, explained the day's program to us, and had us greeted twice by radio programs—in short, star treatment.

In Bellinzona there's a crowd for the best occasions, entire schools closed to allow students to enjoy what for many is their first experience at the Giro. Everyone lined up in order, each with their own pink cap, smiling faces and a mad desire to take home a souvenir. Some serve coffee, some hand out water bottles and caps, but the children have no doubt—the sandwich offered by the Kometa stand beats them all, and who could blame them.... It's still too early for the sign-in sheet, the stage starts late, but there are those who have already positioned themselves under the scorching sun to secure the best spots. Others have chosen the buses as their battlefield and walk back and forth hoping to meet someone. At the Polti Visit Malta bus, everyone is already ready for the ritual photo, Francesco Gavazzi, now team manager, tells us how beautiful it is to find himself not far from his Valtellina and to be back in the group, albeit in a different role. Two days have passed since the incredible Milan stage, and after the initial disappointment comes the awareness of having come close to an incredible feat. Mirco Maestri, the protagonist of that day, is the most sought-after by sponsors and fans, with many pats on the back and promises to try again. Meanwhile, it's already time to depart, the pink caravan is heading towards Carì, but in Bellinzona the celebration will continue all day long.

Along the route, the roads are decorated with pink balloons, many fans, many ordinary people who decided to go roadside just to satisfy their curiosity about what's happening. Traveling with us is Martina Valcepina, two-time Olympic medalist in short track, but a cycling enthusiast who is a regular fixture in her training routine. During training camps, races watched on television are a special moment to do something together, but cycling seen from the inside is much more special. It's a continuous celebration like the one at the foot of the Carì climb where the local committee has set up skewers and bar stations. You can't go up to the finish line, but perhaps that's not really a shame either... "I've been waiting years for the Giro," a lady tells us who, noticing our press pass, decides to stop us to bombard us with questions and tell us her story as a fan. Anna is one of those television fans who supports everyone for the beauty of the sport, but when the race comes to your doorstep, you can't help but come down to watch. There's an entire town celebrating and, like Anna, many people have made an appointment for an afternoon different from all the others. Some attempt the climb on foot, but 11 km under the sun isn't for us.

The race arrives and we admire it from a hairpin turn where the hospitality zone has been set up. Vingegaard is still in the world of mortals, he'll place his decisive attack only 5 km later. We see the rest on the big screen, under the scorching sun and in the middle of an even hotter crowd. There are guests who happened to be there by chance and are getting a full immersion on how a cycling race works, some reveal tactics and make their own, some cheer for the Italians, some for Hindley and some for Gall, some ask when Vingegaard will crack and some are convinced it will never happen. The family of Davide Piganzoli can't contain their emotion, that day the Valtellina native had an incredible race and it's as if he had won. It's a whirlwind of joy and encounters like the one with our friend Lara, a Swiss cycling institution and an essential visit for every crossing into the Ticino Canton. Passionate, a fan, but above all the owner of a bar in Rodi Fiesso that has become the crossroads for cyclists, races and everything related to sport.

The stage is over, for the athletes it's already time to think about the next day. Some are exhausted, some tried to save their legs, but everyone at the bus area tries to find a moment for the young fans. We say goodbye to friends and acquaintances we haven't seen in a while. For once we think a little less about the race pedaled and dedicate ourselves to those things we usually never have time for—a hug, a how are you, a handshake, but above all the promise to see each other soon. It's these bonds that go beyond work, scoops and meeting deadlines that make the world of cycling special. Often it takes an unusual day like this one to remember it.