Goodbye Sergeant! The cycling world, all of it and not just the Italian one, mourns Giancarlo Ferretti, the iron sergeant, who left us at dusk on the very day of his 85th birthday.

A rider first, then a coach and later also a manager, Ferretti spanned over 60 years of cycling history, writing unforgettable pages alongside great champions.

Born in Lugo, in the heart of Romagna, on August 9, 1941, Ferretti was a professional from 1963 to 1970: three years with Legnano, one with Sanson and then four seasons with Salvarani without ever achieving a victory but becoming everywhere a precious point of reference for his team leaders.

In particular, at Salvarani he became the trusted man of Felice Gimondi and, once his racing career ended, he would continue to be so by guiding the great Felice from the Bianchi team car.

In short, Ferretti became one of the most appreciated coaches in the world: after Bianchi came Ariostea, GB-MG Boys, MG Boys Maglificio, Riso Scotti and finally Fassa Bortolo, which he led from 2000 to 2005.

There are many champions who raced and won under his direction: in no particular order, Tommy Prim, Moreno Argentin, Rolf Sorensen, Michele Bartoli, Paolo Bettini, Alessandro Petacchi, Juan Antonio Flecha, Ivan Basso, Fabian Cancellara and Filippo Pozzato.

The "iron sergeant" was the nickname that accompanied him throughout his coaching career: authoritarian, direct, demanding, he never minced words with his riders. But precisely because of that character, Giancarlo Ferretti was able to build teams and champions that left their mark on the world of cycling.

His managerial career ended in 2005, just when the ProTour, which later became the WorldTour, changed the world of cycling and stripped it of some of that romantic aura that even the gruff Giancarlo loved.

To remember Giancarlo Ferretti, we invite you to reread two articles we dedicated to him: the first when his riders celebrated his 80th birthday and the second dedicated to the book in which he told his story, aptly titled "They Called Me the Iron Sergeant".