The Velodrome Vigorelli is the “mecca” of the track cycling world, is a symbol, a legend … They are pictures and names in black and white from distant times, is pink carbon paper of Gazzetta dello Sport, is your grandfather telling you who was A. Maspes. They are cycling dreams which gently caressing you with the charm that only Milan knows. Vigorelli is also the stark reality of the changing times, and poor management of cultural heritage. We talked to the guys of the Comitato Velodrome Vigorelli active in the fight to save and return to the world of cycling one of its symbols par excellence.FORZA RAGAZZI!
How is possible that such an emblematic place of cycling has been abandoned?
The biggest problem of the abandon of the Vigorelli Velodrome is the indifference of the FCI (Italian Cycling Federation) for track cycling in Milan and in Italy in general. Another problem is the management of the City Hall. For years, they haven’t treated the Vigorelli Velodrome like a cultural heritage. They’ve just considered it like an unnecessary cost. If you add a little bit of bad luck you have the perfect picture of the situation. Vigorelli Velodrome closed its door, 10 years ago before the new worldwide rise of track cycling.
Velodrome’s conditions
Velodrome‘s conditions are mediocre. It could sound weird, but the Velodrome is still alive, thanks to American Football. The reason is that the Vigorelli Velodrome has been the headquarters of the American football in Milan during the last 20 years. There is a clear difference between the part dedicated to the football and the part of “pista”. The first one is very well managed and it was renovated in 2013; the “pista” part is almost abandoned. It’s a shame being spectator of the ruin of such a great place of cycling. The situation is dramatic, but the structure of the velodrome is not rotten, it just needs a renovation of the “pista” floor, the changing rooms and the terraces. Anyway we’re not talking about big works, it’s more about repair the current installations.
Failed projects
If we talk about Vigorelli Velodrome and projects of renovation, the Keyword is: bad luck. Just three years ago started a new plan of renovation that included bikes (pista, BMX) football, boxing and rugby but every time there’s a change of administration in government, there’s also a change of the plans for the Velodrome. In general terms, we don’t have any support from the FCI and until now the government has rejected a lot of good cycling projects for the Vigorelli Velodrome. Few years ago, the Vigorelli Velodrome was going to be demolished to became a Multifunctional sport area. The attitude of the FCI (Italian Cycling Federation) is frustrating.
What’s our “fight” and what’s our purpose?
Our “fight” is against the abandon of the Vigorelli Velodrome by the government. Our purpose is to bring back cycling in this amazing place. We don’t want the Velodrome to be demolished and we organize activities and expositions. We don’t want to give up especially now that bike and cycling are very popular worldwide. With just few interventions, Vigorelli will be the perfect place to transmit the values of cycling to the new generations. From my point of view, one of the most important examples of renovation and conservation is Herne Hill in London. It has become in few years a very important meeting point for cyclists; another example is Fiorenzuola Velodrome in Italy.
Newspapers talk about a new project
Definitely, last 6th of May the Council made official the new project. It looked like a very good project accorded with our purpose… I don’t want to be boring, but as other projects TIME is the biggest problem. There are a lot of details to arrange, and I don’t want to be a spectator of the failure of another good project. We will be there to help and support the City Hall .
Comitato Velodromo Vigorelli (CVV). Who takes part of this?
We’re a spontaneous union of cyclists, amateurs, citizens, pro-cyclist, bike lovers, bike shop owners, brands and cycling clubs. We fight to save the Vigorelli Velodrome that is probably the fastest and most famous “pista” in the world. CVV was born from others groups like “rivogliamo il vigorelli”. We stay together to save the velodrome with new energy and passion.
Initiatives
First, we helped to make a new renovation project, with some more ethical of cycling. We also try to create a network between us and others groups around the world that are trying to save other velodromes. Our aim is to save these historical places. This will give the possibility to the new generations to ride in places that represents the cycling history. We congratulate our London’s friends who had saved the Herne Hill Velodrome.
Events
In Our last event we “open doors” to tourists. It was a great success! More than 3.000 people have visited the Velodrome and the expo of vintage bikes that we have organized in collaboration with the Ghisallo Museum. What for the future? We have a lot of projects that we’ll tell you soon! It’s going to be hard to achieve our goal, but we won’t give up! We’ll give the Velodrome back to its natural “users”: the cyclists!
How can we help us?
All kind of help is welcome! We will publish in our page all our events and activities to keep you inform about the situation of the velodrome. Our last campaign is called #Votavigo. We want the Velodrome to be included in the list of the Italian protected places of FAI.
Your message!
Don’t stop to talking about Vigorelli’s Velodrome!! The best way to keep it alive is talking about its legends and history. And don’t stop pedaling!!! We are not just only fighting for Vigorelli, but also for everybody who love bikes and cyclism… Vigorelli Velodrome could be one of the symbols of the worldwide bike community.
More info on: www.vigorelli.eu
