Author Topic: RIP Ballerini......  (Read 1429 times)

richie

  • Just sleeping...
RIP Ballerini......
« on: 08 February, 2010, 10:20:41 am »
I was always a fan of his. :'(

At least it wasn't drug related....

http://lagazzettadellabici.blogspot.com/2010/02/classics-man-franco-ballerini-1964-2010.html
Sheep we're off again.

Re: RIP Ballerini......
« Reply #1 on: 08 February, 2010, 01:04:07 pm »
I don't remember seeing him racing but I do know he once pointed at Salvatore and laughed.

Salvatore

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Re: RIP Ballerini......
« Reply #2 on: 08 February, 2010, 01:30:15 pm »
I don't remember seeing him racing but I do know he once pointed at Salvatore and laughed.

No no no. He waved then gave me a thumbs up, smiling as he did so.

It may come as a surprise to many, but he took a great interest in Audax Randonneurs Italia (ARI). He attended their get-together before PBP 2007, and presented the ARI awards last autumn after LEL.

The first photo in this sequence shows him with Fermo Rigamonti, organiser of 1001 Miglia Italia.
Quote
et avec John, excellent lecteur de road-book, on s'en est sortis sans erreur

Re: RIP Ballerini......
« Reply #3 on: 08 February, 2010, 02:21:08 pm »
And what do you think an Italian sticking a thumb up at you might mean?

Salvatore

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Re: RIP Ballerini......
« Reply #4 on: 09 February, 2010, 08:59:03 am »
There's a tribute to him here.

His achievements as manager of the Italian national team, getting them to ride as a team rather than a bunch of individuals, and winning a load or rainbow jerseys, are regarded as highly as his deeds on the road.
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et avec John, excellent lecteur de road-book, on s'en est sortis sans erreur

Rhys W

  • I'm single, bilingual
    • Cardiff Ajax
Re: RIP Ballerini......
« Reply #5 on: 09 February, 2010, 05:53:39 pm »
How sad. I always think of him as one of the Paris-Roubaix Mapei/Colnago C40 greats, along with Tafi and Museeuw.