"Tragedy in cycling,coach Ballerini dies".Tragedy: yes,this is probably the right word to define what happened this morning in Larciano.In fact,Italian cycling coach Franco Ballerini,former rider who won 2 Paris-Roubaix in his career,died this morning during a rally race.The car on which he was riding as a co-driver together with the expert pilot Alessandro Ciardi (who isn't in life danger,although he suffered some fractures) suddenly went out of the road and capsized for reasons that are still unknown.Ballerini passed away in the Pistoia hospital,45 minutes after the crash.He leaves a wife and 2 sons.
I got the news of Ballerini's death at midday,while I was watching tv.They gave some news about politics and then,suddenly,some images of a car crash appeared on the tv screen,together with the words "Ballerini dies",whereas a voice said "Italian cycling coach Ballerini dies in an accident during a rally".Shock,amazement,a feeling of "I can't believe it" suddenly caught me.My first reaction to the news was "It can't be true-they must have given the wrong news.They must have confused names.It can't be true".You'd never expect to hear such a sad news on a sunny Sunday morning,while you're happy because you have some free time to watch some cycling races in the afternoon and you're still thinking about the Gazzetta article about GP Costa degli Etruschi,the first race of the year that you managed to see on tv.And instead,the news came and changed my morning.
I didn't know Ballerini in person,but I had always liked him.He was an intelligent man,a great cyclist (he won 2 Paris-Roubaix) and,as a coach,he allowed Italy to win 4 World RR Championships and 1 Olympic RR.He was always really kind and every Italian cycling fan really liked him.He surely leaves a big gap in Italian cycling and,worst thing,in all the people who knew him.
I got the news of Ballerini's death at midday,while I was watching tv.They gave some news about politics and then,suddenly,some images of a car crash appeared on the tv screen,together with the words "Ballerini dies",whereas a voice said "Italian cycling coach Ballerini dies in an accident during a rally".Shock,amazement,a feeling of "I can't believe it" suddenly caught me.My first reaction to the news was "It can't be true-they must have given the wrong news.They must have confused names.It can't be true".You'd never expect to hear such a sad news on a sunny Sunday morning,while you're happy because you have some free time to watch some cycling races in the afternoon and you're still thinking about the Gazzetta article about GP Costa degli Etruschi,the first race of the year that you managed to see on tv.And instead,the news came and changed my morning.I didn't know Ballerini in person,but I had always liked him.He was an intelligent man,a great cyclist (he won 2 Paris-Roubaix) and,as a coach,he allowed Italy to win 4 World RR Championships and 1 Olympic RR.He was always really kind and every Italian cycling fan really liked him.He surely leaves a big gap in Italian cycling and,worst thing,in all the people who knew him.
I give my deep condolences to the family.Rest in peace,Franco.
Links about the tragedy:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/vale-franco-ballerini-1964-2010
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/italian-coach-franco-ballerini-dies-in-rally-crash
http://www.gazzetta.it/Ciclismo/07-02-2010/nei-rally-mai-azzardo-602913957366.shtml
http://www.gazzetta.it/Ciclismo/07-02-2010/tragegia-muore-602911536543.shtml
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/vale-franco-ballerini-1964-2010
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/italian-coach-franco-ballerini-dies-in-rally-crash
http://www.gazzetta.it/Ciclismo/07-02-2010/nei-rally-mai-azzardo-602913957366.shtml
http://www.gazzetta.it/Ciclismo/07-02-2010/tragegia-muore-602911536543.shtml
(more cycling news on this blog later-if I am in the right mood).
No words can touch similar sensation.
RispondiEliminaIn this moment, my heart is just like a soccer ball.
Ero appena rientrato dal primo allenamento dell'anno. Me l'ha detto mia mamma, tre passi entro la soglia di casa.
RispondiEliminaIl resto è stato un pomeriggio strano.
Quello che è successo ieri è stato uno shock. Quando ho sentito la notizia,non volevo crederci.Confusione,smarrimento,la solita sensazione di "non può essere vero".Anche il mio è stato un pomeriggio strano e anche stasera,quando ho letto la notizia dei funerali su Televideo,mi ci è voluto un attimo per capire che,accidenti,Franco se n'è andato davvero.
RispondiEliminaForse è strano che io sia così confusa e triste per la scomparsa di una persona che,dopo tutto,non conoscevo.Ma forse la spiegazione sta nel fatto che certi eventi sono così tremendi da creare una situazione di vuoto in chiunque.Morire a 45 ani,lasciare una moglie,2 figli e tutti i progetti per il futuro in una giornata che doveva essere di divertimento è davvero ingiusto.Anche se,certe volte,è la vita in generale a sembrare ingiusta.
Che altro dire ancora? Riposa in pace Franco-non sarà facile riempire il vuoto che ci hai lasciato.