We have lost an Olympic champion, we have lost Pierfranco Vianelli, gold medalist in the road race in Mexico City in 1968. Born in Provaglio d'Iseo on October 20, 1946, Vianelli was a true phenomenon in the youth categories: Italian junior champion in 1965, he experienced his golden season in 1968, the year of the Olympics, when he won among other races the Giro della Valle d'Aosta and the Ruota d'Oro.

In Mexico City he was entered in both the 100 km team time trial and the individual road race: in the time trial he conquered the bronze medal with Bramucci, Marcelli and Simonetti, then in the road race he absolutely dominated the field.

In 1969 he turned professional, racing in the top category until 1976 without, however, being able to repeat himself at the same level, to the point of achieving only one victory in 1971, when he won the famous Grossglockner stage at the Giro d'Italia, a race he finished in fifth place.

The rider from Provaglio d'Iseo later became a respected mechanic and his shop at Mandolossa became a frequent destination for enthusiasts who have always sought his advice and very often had him recount that Olympic adventure.

"It was the most beautiful day of my sporting life - Vianelli confided to colleague Angiolino Massolini - I could talk about it for hours and hours." The race took place on the challenging circuit of the Torre to be tackled 12 times for 200 kilometers: in the penultimate lap, the Swedish rider Gosta Petterson and I launched a counterattack and in the final lap we caught up with the group of breakaway riders that included Mortensen, Monserè, Conti and Martini".

At the front were riders of great value: "Together with Petterson we fought an authentic two-man time trial. When we reached the leaders I continued my attack without stopping, while the Swede remained at the back of the leading group. I only wanted to make a selection but I immediately found myself ahead with a nice gap of seconds. At that point I pressed on and finished alone after 15 kilometers of solo breakaway with 1'24" advantage over Petterson and Mortensen. During the solo escape I didn't feel the fatigue: my legs were spinning at full speed on their own. That day I was in great form. Only in the early stages did I take time to get going, but once the engine started I didn't have any more problems. I pedaled smoothly managing to drop my opponents despite them marking me closely: they seemed like defenders on a football field".

And to the inevitable question about the reason for his disappointment as a professional he explained: "I paid the price for a different style of racing. They would pedal slowly for many kilometers and then attack suddenly. To stay ahead, from the start I had to constantly maintain around 40 kilometers per hour. Dancelli, Merckx, Bitossi, Motta, Gimondi, when they increased the pace, they would disintegrate me. I also had a physical problem: I underwent two operations on my legs without results, so I married Erminia, became father to Roberta and Stefano who for some years now have replaced me in managing the bicycle shop".

Pierfranco rests at the residence at Via Fratelli Kennedy, 1 in Provaglio d'Iseo.

To the Vianelli family, particularly to his wife Erminia and children Roberta and Stefano, the condolences of the tuttoBICI and tuttobiciweb editorial staff.

The funeral will be held on Thursday, September 10 at 4 PM in the Parish Church of Provaglio d'Iseo.