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Viviani’s omnium gold jumpstarts Italy’s track program
- Updated: August 17, 2016
Home » News » Viviani’s omnium gold jumpstarts Italy’s track program
MILAN (VN) — Elia Viviani’s Olympic gold medal in the omnium on Monday in Rio de Janeiro boosted Italy’s attempt to return to track success.
The Bel Paese once ruled the two-wheeled sport – both on the road and in the velodrome – before the rise of several other countries and the crippling economic crisis. Before Great Britain came to dominate the team pursuit, Italy would regularly earn medals through the 1998 world championships.
“Viviani was able to recommence our great tradition,” Pier Bergonzi, deputy director at La Gazzetta dello Sport, wrote Wednesday. “At one time, not so long ago, we were a force and the track was a small medal mine.
“Elia’s gold medal, spectacular and moving given how he matured, is a victory of diligence, but also a huge assist for Italian track cycling. A hand out-stretched, a Madison hand-sling that our movement needs to take advantage of.”
Of the 30-odd velodromes in Italy, only one is covered and suitable for UCI-level events. That helps to explain why Italy has suffered so much in …
continue reading in source velonews.competitor.com
