Monday evening at the Artè Theatre in Capannori, 11 champions were awarded the prestigious Golden Sphinx, minted by Lucca-based artist Giampaolo Bianchi: Luca Lucaroni, Matteo Tagliariol, Valentina Rodini, Gianpiero Marini, Carlo Muraro, Walter Alfredo Novellino, Rolf Sorensen, Glenn Magnusson, Sabrina Bertini, Arianna Bertolucci and Pier Augusto Stagi

A lineup that brought the total number of award recipients from 1997 to today to 530, as reported in the Wikipedia encyclopedia. After 16 editions at the Country Club Hotel, the Award changed venues but remained firmly rooted in Capannori thanks to the collaboration of the Municipality and the new organization entrusted for the first time to Cycling Team Lucca, chaired by Pierluigi Castellani.

But last evening, beyond the awards ceremony, a moment unfolded that is destined to remain in the history of world cycling. Three riders who grew up in the Fanini family, wearing the colors of Amore & Vita, reunited together on the same stage after nearly 30 years.

On stage the Golden Sphinx went to Rolf Sorensen and Glenn Magnusson, two symbols of great international cycling launched as young riders by Capannori-based patron Ivano Fanini. Sorensen, junior world champion, winner of Liège-Bastogne-Liège 1993 and Tour of Flanders 1997. Magnusson, Swedish sprinter capable of winning 3 stages at the Giro d'Italia in Fanini's colors, even beating Mario Cipollini.

In the audience, applauding them and then embracing them, were Michele Bartoli and Andrea Tafi, also Golden Sphinx recipients in past editions and also discovered and launched by Ivano Fanini when they were very young at Segromigno.

Thus, for the first time after decades, the legendary 1997 World Cup podium was reconstructed: 1st Bartoli, 2nd Sorensen, 3rd Tafi. A trio entirely launched in their youth by Ivano Fanini.

"Seeing them together here in Capannori was an emotion that cannot be described," said a moved Ivano Fanini, patron of Amore & Vita, the world's oldest cycling team, founded in 1948. "Rolf arrived at our team as a young boy from Denmark, Glenn from Sweden. Michele and Andrea were part of our family. I raised them like sons, gave them food and lodging in Lunata, taught them the trade. Seeing them today, established champions, men, embracing each other after 30 years right at Valter Nieri's Award, in our Capannori, is the greatest gift of my 60 years in cycling. Amore & Vita is this: a family that never breaks apart." Marini was also presented with the collateral Prize dedicated to the unforgettable Gigi Simoni, now in its fourth edition. Hostess Debora Vanuzzo was reconfirmed, with Stefano Gori, multi-champion paralympic athlete, as honorary president.

For Vivere Lucca, present at the ceremony, it was a beautiful page of sport, loyalty and values. Because Capannori does not only reward victories, but constancy, dedication and unconditional love for a discipline. And last evening, with the reunion of the Fanini family, it also rewarded 30 years of world cycling history.