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Mont Ventoux
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A quick spin at the world's, September 30, 2004

A ride with a champion

In a people's event at the Verona world's Mitch Friedman goes for a ride with Italian legend Francesco Moser - and a thousand of his closest friends

Francesco Moser gets ready
Photo ©: Mitch Friedman
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While the focus at the world's is rightly on the top racers that turn up to compete for the coveted rainbow jersey, the Mondiale di Verona 2004 organisation also put on something for the rest of us - a chance to ride with 1977 world road race champion Francesco Moser in the 'Pedalata con i campioni' (ride with a champion) ride.

Of course, when I say "with" I mean "among a crowd of a thousand of Moser's friends and fans". Twenty-five years after his racing heyday and 20 after he shocked the world by smashing Eddy Merckx's Hour Record, Moser is still much-loved figure in Italy. He still rides, and, in fact looks like all he'd be giving away if he fronted the start line on Sunday would be a few years.

Francesco Moser rides
Photo ©: Mitch Friedman
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Not wanting to lug a bike halfway round the world for one ride, I was aboard a borrowed bike, loaned by my friends in the Dalla Rosa club in Feltre, Italy. Strange thing; here I was, an unabashed Italophile, in Italy, surrounded by Italian tifosi, riding a bike that had... well, let's just say they weren't Campagnolo components. I've always ridden Vicenza's parts so it was very odd to be shifting and braking with That Other Company's stuff. Maybe next time I will bring my own bike after all.

The support car caravan
Photo ©: Mitch Friedman
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The ride set off from the outskirts of Verona and started out flat. There must have been a thousand people out on their bikes, with three support cars - just like one of the gran fondo rides that are so popular in Italy, but without the mountains those rides tend to tackle

Moser rode at the front most of the day and seemed to have fun with the people. I rode all over with my friend April Pederson, an American who is lucky enough to live here in Italy part-time in Italy and knows everything there is to know about riding in the Veneto area and gran fondos. The Italian riders overheard us talking in English and wanted to know where I was from and why I was riding this ride. I told them I love to ride in Italy and anytime I can I come and ride gran fondos or rides like this because they're lots of fun. And they are - nobody does big, friendly bike rides like the Italians.

The mechanic squad kept everyone rolling
Photo ©: Mitch Friedman
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At the 40km mark and just after a small climb we had a rest stop with food and water, which was also a chance for the support mechanics to look after people's bikes.

Retro
Photo ©: Mitch Friedman
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The last half of the day was spent riding some of the roads that the road races will tackle. I'm glad I only had to go up the climb of the Torricelle once. The World's riders will have to do as many as 18 times and it's a killer. Maybe if I had not had jet lag from getting in just a day or so before it would have been okay, but 18 times is still going to sort out the pros.

After the ride we were treated to a pasta party and awards. If you want to have fun in Italy go on a ride and see the area - it's a blast.

Photography

Images by Mitch Friedman Photography