In his own way. The relationship with the bike never stops, not even when you don't ride for two months, as happened between April and June. Then it happens that Gibo Simoni gets back on the bike and doesn't let go for a week, in fact he's in the saddle every single day. Even just for an errand.

It's a thread that starts from far away, and now it's living a new season. That of a father, dealing with a son, Enrico, 20 years old and the decision - after finishing high school - to become a full-time rider.

«It's definitely harder for him than it was for me - the two-time Giro d'Italia winner tells us - I was the son of farmers and had no pressure, quite the opposite. Enrico (who turned 20 yesterday and races for Campana Imballagi - Morbiato - Trentino, ed.) inevitably has to deal with the comparison with me. But we're different, especially in character: he's calm, a good guy. However, we're the same in our commitment».

The suffering, something you've never feared.
«I've never backed down, and it's this experience that I try to pass on to the young riders I meet: the Hungarian ones from MBH Bank, those aged 5 to 18 from Unione Sportiva Montecorona (the historic club, with its 75 years, which has seen among its "sons" Aldo and Francesco Moser, then myself and Moreno) where I'm a board member, then as organizer of the Festa dell'uva time trial in Palù and in every opportunity where I still live cycling».

Speaking of suffering, the Tour de France is approaching.
«Well, let's talk about real suffering. I remember my first Tour, the year 1995. We were called (Aki was a reserve) at the last moment to replace Luc Leblanc's team which fell apart shortly before. So at such short notice, the most available to leave were us young riders. What a tough experience... I was always at the back, that's where I understood that you don't die from suffering».

Then there were other Tours, even a stage win, in 2003 at Loudenvielle in the Pyrenees. How do you see the Grande Boucle this year?
«With Pogacar at the start, there's not much to invent. For a long time I've been saying to those who ask me about him that he's already done everything as a young man, but until at least his 30s he remains the strongest. It can happen that he makes a mistake, and then you need to be ready».

Is that the advice you give to your son too - to be ready?
«Yes, to continue with seriousness and willingness to work. And to all the children and young riders who are starting out in cycling, to have fun. I love seeing myself in them, with those bikes that seem so big. I think back to mine, built by taking apart piece by piece the one my brother had brought home from a construction site and then painted Ferrari red. That's where it all started».

A beautiful journey, Gibo. A thread that doesn't break, not even after two months with the bike locked in the garage. Then you get back in the saddle and you go... even to cheer for a son who dreams big.