A prank, some call it disrespect, certainly a theft and anyway a deplorable act. An unknown hand has taken away the small statue depicting a cyclist on a bike placed on the stone base with three bolts (see photo) near the small monument dedicated to Franco Ballerini at Casa al Vento on the hill overlooking the Pistoia plain. This is the place where on February 7, 2010, "Ballero" lost his life in a tragic accident during the Larciano car rally. The Casa al Vento area is often a transit point for cyclists, especially amateurs, and last weekend a cyclist passing by noticed that the mini bicycle was missing from the stone positioned on the roadside wall. He immediately informed Franco Ballerini's father-in-law, Luigi Ricasoli, and Mrs. Sabrina, Ballerini's wife, and the news spread especially in Casalguidi and neighboring areas, causing disbelief at the act. Antonio Tabarin, president of the "Friends of Franco Committee", was naturally informed.
"We have not filed a complaint with the authorities at the moment, the value of what was taken is more symbolic than economic, as the statuette was perhaps stolen believing it was made of bronze or other material. Instead, it was made of plastic and its economic value is truly minimal".
What will you do now to restore that corner dedicated to Franco Ballerini, which was inaugurated in the presence of the late Alfredo Martini and other personalities?
"We are already thinking about the intervention and how to replace it quickly. An act that left us incredulous, we initially thought it might have been the wind that blew strongly in the area a few days ago, but that was not the case. It was an ignoble hand that unscrewed the bolts that fixed it to the stone base, committing that act".