Others remind him of the anniversary. He, Gianni Bugno, on September 6th is around Peccioli, Tuscany, for a cycling tour. And that Sunday, even in '92 September 6th fell on a Sunday and it was extremely hot, he hadn't really thought about it.

"Someone pointed out to me that it was the 34th anniversary of my World Championship victory, so yes, I remembered that day, that moment. For me it had been an almost behind-the-scenes prelude, I was participating in the championship as the defending champion after winning the title in Stuttgart the year before, but the Italian National team's main contenders were others".

In the hours before the race, let's say the attention was on your teammates.

"I remember the exact moment after the meeting with coach Martini on Saturday afternoon. There were journalists there ready to ask questions, not like today with a press conference. And everyone approached the riders who mattered. I passed by and stepped aside. Nobody seemed to give me any chances. Nobody approached me".

It went differently in the race, a final burst with a sprint.

"I had a joker role, no specific assignment. Martini told me to race my own race and we'd see how it unfolded. Chiappucci was in form and could invent something. We had to watch out for the French with Jalabert as leader and then there was the great favorite, Indurain, racing at home. He was the man of the day, of the moment: he'd done the triple, the Giro, the Tour and the Spanish championship. In the end, with a fairly large group thanks also and especially to the work of the Colombians, I realized I had a chance thanks also to the great work of Perini".

Martini, Perini, Chiappucci: actors in that film at Benidorm.

"Alfredo was a father figure, he knew how to read us, how to bring together different minds wearing jerseys that were often rivals during the year, but united on that single day. And so, everyone – wearing the Azzurri jersey – gave our all, happy and proud to represent our Nation. Chiappucci was going strong, without a set plan, he could invent anything and Perini was a giant that afternoon in dismantling the 7 French riders who thought they would win".

You've always emphasized the value of the Azzurri jersey, do you have one preserved at home?

"Nothing, I gave everything away. I don't like living on memories, but deep down I know that the Azzurri jersey remains the greatest pride: it's forever. And for some time now I've been watching the cycling world as a spectator; on TV the grand tours, the classics, no federation role. But I still ride my bike, for my health. When I can, even every day for an hour, an hour and a half".

Cycling and flying, your great passions. How do we divide them in percentages?

"25 years each, so equal. Plus a few years when I was young, as a boy. That's my life".

A spectator of the cycling world, but with a critical eye. And the World Championships are approaching, at the end of the month, in Canada

"Without Pogacar it's a great opportunity for others: Evenepoel, Van Aert, Van der Poel, Del Toro. And we're rooting for Finn, young, in his first year. And speaking of young riders, for me all the boys should race until they're 21 and then move on. I don't like the U23 formula, everyone should have the chance to compete with their peers, to mature, to study and at the same time to ride their bikes. It's not right to move them up too soon, you risk losing some along the way".

So come on Azzurri, come on Finn.

"I hope he can repeat my Sunday from 34 years ago, I didn't have the favorites' predictions on my side and then I managed to be ready. With the Azzurri jersey you can dream".