Cycling Rivals at the Tour de Pance: Friends, Gears, and Rivalry

The Race and the Gathering of Friends

It’s a stage cycling race called the “Tour de Pance,” and perhaps no further words are needed to describe the competition organized by a group of “very serious” friends from Riva.

Interrupted for one evening, the cycling enthusiasts met on Monday at Bar Conti d’Arco to watch their tragicomic exploits from the past two editions (the tour was born in 2000) on a large screen, share a slice of cake, and discuss future plans.

Characters and Stages of the «Tour de Pance»

Behind the stages of the «Tour de Pance», drawn in the Busa – to name a few – are Guerrino Betta «The Shark», Paolo Tonelli «Pantuna», Fabio Drescig «Ciccio Slavic», Sergio Amistadi «Cecido Gas», Pietro Raggi «the accountant», brothers Ciro and Rocco Frizzi «The Brothers», Maurizio Zecca riding his «cancél», Loris Boninsegna «Baffo», Fabio Zanoni «Caterpillar», Jimmy «Eta Beta», Fabrizio «Bicio» Di Stasio, Livio Leoni «Vecio», Enrico Fornaciari (organizer and host of the evening), and, of course, «Lele» Benoni «The Cannibal», winner of both editions held so far.

Images flowed, and amid teasing and jeering, it became clear to everyone that alongside the playful banter, there is a growing sense of competition.

The Editions and the Participants’ Transformations

The first «Tour de Pance», July 2000: many competitors are out of shape; their prominent bellies make them gasp on the pedals, their rolls of fat clash with the tight cycling gear, and many race on mountain bikes.

June 2001, second edition: many bellies have significantly reduced, several rolls are gone, and those who used to gasp now look prepared and determined, all riding road bikes.

The metamorphosis of «The Shark» is astonishing; from one year to the next, he achieved an enviable physique, and the other evening he issued aggressive threats for 2002.

«Next time – he promised – I’ll crush you all!»