Being selected for the Paralympics is always an incredibly emotional experience.
After winning the world championship medal, we were really hoping for it. Despite Lorenzo’s transition from rowing to cycling, the preparation was meticulous and well thought-out. We reached the big event in top form, which earned us the bronze medal in Paris.
Friends and family played a very important role—they were the link between our profession and our personal lives, between daily routine and intimate moments.
I tried to share some of my experience with Lorenzo to help manage the pre-race stress. It may not seem like it, but Paris wasn’t just any race: the velodrome packed with spectators, the tension in those moments right before the start.
Being aware that you’re teaming up with someone like Lorenzo, who truly relies on you to achieve his dream, gives you a deep sense of purpose. His determination, in turn, deeply motivated me to give even more than I thought I was capable of.
Saying thank you to Team Equa and Fiamme Oro doesn’t quite capture it—they are a treasure chest of opportunities: in sport, in professionalism, and in life.
Simply, thank you.
Lorenzo Bernard, Davide Plebani
