Surprise at the Giro d'Italia: Diego Ulissi in the lead. After 4 years an Italian is back in the pink jersey

Long live Italy, then? Do we exult at the Giro like we did for the triumph of Jasmine Paolini at the Internazionali di Roma? No, better to be realistic and not talk about an unforgettable stage, but about one of those little miracles that happen at the Giro d'Italia, when the big boys don't want to wear themselves out or take responsibility beforehand. So, drawing breath, they leave the centre of the stage to a few courageous and well-intentioned riders, sparing Lor Lords the discomfort of a hard-fought stage with the risk of sweating more than necessary.

The truth? The real truth is that on this Sunday's stage between Gubbio and Siena, on the dirt roads, Roglic and co. will not be able to give us another picnic-basket tourist outing. Oh, God, anything is possible, Pogacar is not there, but on this terrain, full of ambushes and pitfalls, giving battle is almost inevitable. Hiding is difficult, almost a reverse escape, as if the captains in the heat of battle were hiding behind a bush with beautiful Chianti to give themselves courage. It is hoped that this will not happen and that these not-so-courageous captains, on one of the most eagerly awaited days, will finally set fire to the powders, thrilling those who will come to applaud them.

Two more words for Diego Ulissi, who is really good and modest. At almost 36 years of age, which he will turn on 15 July, he still manages to excite himself like a little boy. "When the Astana managers told me I was maglia rosa, I almost didn't believe it. Usually I can control myself, but I got emotional thinking about all the sacrifices and satisfactions I've taken away in these years of professionalism. Then I thought of my three daughters, my parents, my grandparents and all the efforts they have made since I was a child to take me to the races, to get me on the bike'.

A beautiful story, very Italian, almost unfashionable, that of Ulissi, a great navigator in the vast sea of a tiring and difficult profession such as that of the rider.

He won 48 races, eight of them at the Giro d'Italia, his favourite race. We remember him because Diego has already forgotten. He resembles those old domestiques who, while the others were partying, immediately thought about the next day's effort. Knowing full well that, in front of all those people waiting for him, it will be even harder.