Hello Francesco, many happy returns! On the other end of the phone is him, Francesco Moser, who takes a very brief pause, then with nonchalance replies to my birthday wishes: "Did you see Finn, he won and put on the pink jersey: brilliant!". Well, happy birthday.

After Giacomo Agostini (June 16th) and Eddy Merckx (June 17th), today the "sheriff" crosses the finish line of his 75th spring, Francesco Moser. He, as usual, treated himself this morning to a ride on his "Moser" electric-assisted bicycle. "I don't feel like straining my neck anymore - says the sheriff from his Maso di Villa Warth in Gardolo (TN) - although I only resort to the little help when the road starts to climb".

No party, but a nice bike ride with friends and Mara Mosole, but when I call him he's under the scorching sun cutting grass and trimming bushes. "You know him, Francesco can't stand still: that's just how he is", says Mara. Today, since he was out anyway, while they were on their bikes, he also did a video link (stationary, of course) with the presentation in the Piedmont Region of the Italian championships that will be held next Saturday in Piedmont, from Asti to Cuneo.

It's pointless to ask Francesco if he'll celebrate tonight, he immediately changes the subject... "I really like this guy - he says referring to Finn -. He has talent and the right class. Come on, something is moving for us Italians too", says that perpetual motion machine Moser. Happy birthday Francesco!