“Vitoria is going to be seen in New Zealand and Japan. It will definitely be worth it.”

In the passion for sports, the excitement of youth persists. Feelings of another time. “I feel the same as my first tour”, exclaims the elder of Kaldianos. His last participation was in 2003. Later he was a director at Euskaltel. But he never saw race from outside. “I was lucky enough to experience it from the inside and now I want to do it with my children. In a few years, the day they leave the Tour Vitoria they will realize that they were with their father.

It’s a day of reminiscing and building. “When you live in memories, I’m happy,” he says. His closest to a third sporting event with the biggest international appeal was in Corsica in 2013. He devised a strategy to get on the podium with Juanjo Lopado as leader of the mountain. “One little thing you do is seen all over the world,” he maintains with even more charisma.

Imanol Murga’s speaking tone is more suggestive. “It’s a pass. Vitoria is going to be seen in New Zealand and even in Japan ». The former Orbea runner, who participated in the 1981 and 1985 editions, saw this ‘Gran Départ’ as “proud” in the Basque Country. “I understand that the traffic cuts make you uncomfortable, but it’s a program. It will definitely be worth it. You will see”.

Murga will see him in Legidio’s surroundings, where he will be visiting this weekend, and is giving the fans an emphasis. “When I ran in my youth, I trained in the Landa marshes and could not find anyone. Now they are 70 years old and many women look ‘crazy’. The fever for cycling, Muruga must spread quickly every time. “It will be very good for children. Immortal memory. And the same with teenagers. On a weekend, they are good game, free, in front of the nose, not many bottles,” he jokingly propagandizes.

Paco Caldos is one of those who could be affected by the restrictions on the tour. “I made a reservation to eat at Lauria with the grandkids, but I can’t afford it.” Even at the age of 76, he did not give a single complaint. “We’re going to experience the same thing. It’s historic.” Second place in the 1975 Giro feels privileged. He was on the podium with the final in Vitoria in 1977 and will be at the start this morning. The circle is closed.

“What I like to see the most is the Caravan. When you’re a cyclist, ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ There was a lot of war yesterday. But it will go faster because it’s like Belgium. Curve, incline, descent, curve». And in between, to show the world the territory.