The first was Fausto Coppi. The second Costante Girardengo. The third Gino Bartali. Twenty-one cycling champions in seven years. History in little cartoon figures printed in 3D.

The idea struck Massimo Rossi. Fifty-five years old, from Voghera in Lombardy, an experimental electronics technician who specialized in 3D printing, blending computer science and art, co-owner of 949 Creative Studio, Rossi came to cycling thanks to Mario Rovida, patron of the Viscontea Ciclostorica, which this year takes place on Saturday, September 5th and Sunday, September 6th. And on Sunday, at 3 p.m., in the town square of Arena Po (Pavia), five new 3D works will be presented dedicated to Emanuele Bombini, Enrico Guadrini and Marino Vigna chosen as former professionals, and to Giuseppe Ferrari and Carlo Scarini, of the Velo Club Belgioioso.

“These are unique works,” explains Rossi. A single copy, hand-colored, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, with the free patronage of the Province of Pavia, the Municipality of Arena Po and the Viscontea Ciclostorica. Usually each little figure is given to the champion's family, as in the case of Gastone Nencini to his daughter Elisabetta or Felice Gimondi to his daughter Norma. This time it will be handed directly to the riders. An honor.”

Rossi doesn't do it for money (“There is no profit motive”), but out of respect and passion (“I discovered a world, that of cycling, absolutely beautiful”), and now also out of a sense of belonging to the Viscontea (“Yes, I've become a ciclostorico enthusiast too, though without a bicycle”). Just like his little figures, printed in jerseys and shorts, caps and shoes, but... on foot. Rossi also does it for visibility (“The little figures have become our flagship”). So much so that in these seven years, without even a dedicated website, but only through posts on Facebook, Instagram and the Internet, Rossi claims to have surpassed 2 million views.

The Viscontea offers two routes (40 and 60 km), meetings (with Giancarlo Pietra from the historic Universal brakes company, who tells the company's story in a book), guided tours (of Gaetano Grillo's works in the Mapoo Museum), even “short rides” for the youngest and families in collaboration with Fiab. And the little figures.

A dream? Massimo Rossi has no doubts: “A little figure for Tadej Pogacar”. Why not?