Eighteen days ago he had crossed the 90-year milestone. The funeral is scheduled for Sunday 23 October at 15 pm at the church of San Frediano in Vecchiano.
Source: federciclismo.it / Antonio Mannori
Eighteen days ago he had crossed the 90-year milestone. Today Franco Vita, Alfredo Martini's historic driver and his lifelong cycling companion, has closed his eyes forever. He was the squire, in some ways the shadow of Martini, frank and honest. Mechanic and sporting director in the Vecchianese at an amateur level, Vita met the Ferretti brothers in Capannoli and Alfredo Martini, who was the sporting director of that Pisan professional team and who wanted him to be a mechanic. It was 1968. Four years at Ferretti, as a mechanic and also as sports director, then at Sammontana. Since 1975, for 23 years alongside the national team coach and then travel companion even after Alfredo Martini, and faithful servant of the Italian national team with other coaches, such as Franco Ballerini, Paolo Bettini, Davide Cassani. A man always ready and available, a humble and wonderful servant of cycling and above all of the National team. Today everyone mourns him, in Vecchiano where he lived, and in all cycling circles where he was known and appreciated. Expressions of deepest condolences from the entire Tuscan and national cycling movement reach Franco Vita's family. The funeral is scheduled for Sunday 23 October at 15 pm at the church of San Frediano in Vecchiano (Pi).
The president, Cordiano Dagnoni, recalled him with these words: “It is a great disappointment for the whole world of cycling. I've always met him driving the CT car, first with Alfredo Martini, then with Antonio Fusi, Franco Ballerini, Paolo Bettini and Davide Cassani. Franchino, as everyone called him, was always smiling and with that typical Tuscan look. Personally, I have a wonderful memory, just as when I was elected president he was one of the first to congratulate me ". Dagnoni concludes: “In the Azzurri one success after another, he at the helm of the flagship: 44 disputed world championships, ten gold medals with the various champions that become 16 with the silver ones. Since 1975 (first world championship with the late Alfredo Martini at the helm of the national team), Franco Vita has not lost a world championship in the role of him, as it were, of factotum of the Italian national team. In short, a real institution ".
