Pippo Marani, known to many as the creator of the Black Snake, is an icon of downhill Italian and one of the pioneers of mountain biking in general. He has always put passion before the economic aspect and this makes him a person respected by everyone in the environment: and perhaps even not well seen by some bigwigs given his never bending over to certain dynamics.
And in fact, even this time he doesn't send them to say anything about Amaury Pierron's injury, who risked really big a Lenzerheide and launched allegations regarding the safety of pilots.
Marani took the ball and published this statement of his:
It's time for you all of the Downhill, when the conditions are not there, stop the race. These gentlemen with money (UCI/Discovery, ed.), believe that with a bike you can do it all. Wrong! You can't do everything with a MTB and you professionals are not Martians. There are dynamics to be respected on a DH track and I see many organizers who don't respect all of this… and they don't respect you riders! Pippo Marani
Sometimes I see useless tracks with crazy speeds in the woods where, at the slightest mistake, you pay heavily with a serious injury. I was criticized by everyone in Val di Sole when I was tracking and organizing, however, first of all, I was looking for safety for all the riders, from the first to the last. I entered the forest at 6.00 in the morning and left at 10.00 in the evening every day.
I wanted everything to be safe (even if it certainly can't be 100% safe in the race) but I did everything possible. I was interested in everyone, I repeat from the first to the last, to arrive at the finish line without problems. Then the strongest won. Now there are too many accidents: many people track without a reason, just because you are top level athletes and think you can do anything. Wrong. You have to make yourself heard! Pippo Marani
Create a pilot committee: I know it's not easy because each of you thinks differently, but it's time to say enough to certain critical and dangerous situations! Now everything revolves around money and the level rises. Falls make more news than those who drive with style, or who follow a certain line much more creatively, or who put technique and imagination into getting out of the woods. The fact that crashes make more news is very disappointing because it's always you riders who pay. I wish you Amaury to heal as soon as possible and come back stronger than before. Hi Goofy ex Tracer Black Snake Pippo Marani
UPDATED: after this intervention, the comments PRO and AGAINST Marani were unleashed. Pippo wanted to do an interview in order to better explain his reasoning: READ IT AT THIS LINK | not to be missed.
