The Great Book of two wheels: Giuseppe Martinelli continues to leaf through it and write it in his own way, opening an indelible page of (glorious) personal memory. Yes, because in the days of the Montreal World Championships we return fifty years back, to the silver medal won at the 1976 Olympic Games by that twenty-one-year-old from Brescia, from Lodetto, a hamlet of Rovato.

Does it feel strange to hold the medal while watching the world championship on TV?

«You realize how much time has passed and it's not just a simple anniversary, believe me. Besides, to escape from nostalgia, the best way remains knowing that one of my boys (Balliana, ed.) will be racing in the junior road race. I won't deny that I had given some thought to the Canadian trip, but there's the end of the season to follow here».

What does that July 26th of half a century ago represent?

«It was an opportunity seized, the doors opened for professionalism, with the move the following year to Jolly Ceramica: I had already been very close to Scic, so finally the objective was achieved. I arrived at the Games in excellent condition, motivated by a series of successes including three stages at the Gran Premio Tell and two stages at the Giro d'Italia. I was called to be a protagonist, I would say “spurred on” to use a euphemism, by my mentor Cicci Petruzzi, who had the reputation of an iron sergeant. But I want to say something».

Please...

«Back then an Olympic medal for a cyclist was worth even more than it does today, it was a true watershed in a career».

Did Bernt Johansson win on merit?

«The Swede demonstrated his caliber in his years as a professional, and racing in Italy I was able to observe him frequently. His move in the final lap was important, I harbor no regret and the unsporting behavior of Klaus Peter Thaler in the sprint led to the German's disqualification, placing me on the second step of the podium. A result celebrated with restraint, not with a prize vacation».

Was Petruzzi convincing?

«Let's put it this way. I returned to Italy already on the 27th, there were other races scheduled and the sports director took me straight to race on Sunday at Sant'Ermete in Romagna. We found traffic on the highway and arrived at the start at the last minute: when I seemed already out of contention, the reprimand I received from the sports director gave me vigor, perhaps out of fear of having to return home by bike: I made a comeback and won».

And what kind of circuit was Mont Royal?

«Similar to today's, in every way, except for the inserted climb to the finish. Back then the finish line was at the foot of the University climb, a key point even today».

We're in the present with a professional race that has suddenly become wide open.

«It would have been raced for second place with Pogacar. The recent GP Cycliste de Montréal rewarded a Del Toro who wisely managed his energy: well, while before you raced on the defensive, now the tactical component prevails and every mistake risks being paid for inexorably. Evenepoel, Del Toro and Seixas are the names we imagine for the podium, but I think Pidcock shouldn't be overlooked either».

And the Italians?

«A compact and reliable team, with Pellizzari or Ciccone capable of placing themselves in the top five, why not».

We were talking about the juniors.

«There are some foreign riders who have demonstrated great qualities and consistent high-level performance, then, thinking of ours, it's reasonable to expect especially great things from riders like Pezzo Rosola or Fedrizzi».

Let's close again with the Olympic nostalgia?

«The days in the village brought us into close contact with the world: it was a great human experience. Sportingly, Nadia Comaneci enchanted the world with her 10, there were athletes of the caliber of Juantorena and among our fellow countrymen Raimondo D'Inzeo and divers Cagnotto and Di Biasi shone brightly. I'll add that Sara Simeoni was also making her debut on the big stage».

For the Italians there came two golds, seven silvers and four bronzes. Italy called? Martinelli answered.