Vigorelli Velodrome in Milan, September 26, 1986: Francesco Moser becomes the hour record holder at sea level. Exactly 40 years ago, riding a light blue "Moser" bike sponsored by Supermercati Brianzoli, Francesco covered 48.543 km in one hour. The Dane Hans Henrik Oersted had covered 48.145 km in 1985 at the "Mercante" in Bassano del Grappa on a Cinelli bike built by Antonio Colombo's technicians.

It was an era when record ratification was based on altitude. Francesco Moser in January 1984 in Mexico City had improved the hour record at altitude twice, bringing it to the famous 51.151 km. However, the Trentino native wasn't satisfied. The opportunity to attempt a record below 600 meters altitude (the limit for UCI ratification "at sea level") was offered to him by patron Alcide Cerato, president of the Vigorelli Management Committee. Alcide Cerato entrusted the author of this article with commenting on the record attempt as a live speaker—an assignment that, if you'll allow me, greatly honored me.

"At the right moment," Commendator Cerato told me, "you must make the Vigorelli explode". Francesco arrived punctually in mid-afternoon. The sun illuminated Milan, but a wind was blowing that didn't inspire much confidence. The starters for Moser were the president of the Italian Cycling Federation, Agostino Omini, Ernesto Pellegrini, president of Inter, and Piero Belloni (Termozeta owner), a friend of Francesco.

There was live RAI coverage with commentary by Adriano De Zan. Italy came to a standstill to cheer on Francesco. Just before the start, Moser asked me to invite the public to follow the first 15 minutes in silence: he needed to get into rhythm and wanted to hear his staff's advice clearly. I obliged, asking the public to maintain religious silence. The request was honored. In the first 15 minutes, I communicated to the public and the athlete only the average speed at each kilometer. After about 15 minutes, I pronounced the following phrase: "Moser is traveling at record pace. The Vigorelli's applause for Francesco Moser!" From that moment, the 10,000 present went wild. The Vigorelli became a cauldron and despite the gusts of headwind, Moser managed to cover 48.543 km for the record. I also managed to interview him in the post-attempt for the benefit of the public.
"Moser and Milan, a record of the heart" was the front-page headline in La Gazzetta dello Sport on September 27, a proud recognition of the public that had cheered Francesco through the difficult final 20 minutes.

Record achieved, mission accomplished. But Moser wasn't satisfied; he was disappointed because the wind in the second part of the attempt had hindered him. In agreement with the enthusiastic Alcide Cerato, it was decided to try again on October 3. In the days between September 26 and October 3, Cerato cleverly had panels installed high on the grandstand curves to limit wind gusts. In the second attempt, again commented live by me and with De Zan at the RAI microphone, Moser surpassed himself, achieving 49.802 km average in 60 minutes. Super-record of the hour, 49.802! Triumph.

In the post-attempt interview, Francesco made a dedication to the public. Without the wind gusts, he had finished strong, with no leg problems like seven days before. Francesco Moser's two hour records remain the last great feats at the Vigorelli, the "magical track". Francesco Moser's staff had me comment on Moser's indoor hour record in Italian at the Stuttgart velodrome on Saturday, May 21, 1988. At the famous Schleyer Halle Stuttgart, the Trentino champion equipped with a "Moser" bike featuring a lenticular rear wheel with a diameter of 101 centimeters covered 50.644 km in 60 minutes on the German track. Strictly live on RAI. The previous indoor record by Viatcheslav Ekimov (49.672) was shattered. Moser's record attempts registered record viewership on RAI.

I take this opportunity to send a special greeting to those who for the first time cannot celebrate the anniversary of Moser's records. Of course, it's Alcide Cerato, who just a few weeks ago went up there. He is certainly with all the cycling champions. Goodbye Alcide, thank you for telling me to make the Vigorelli explode!