Caruso-Nibali-Pozzovivo: this is a podium that wouldn’t have surprised anyone 10 years ago, but which is fairly striking today. The first is 34 years old, the second 37 and the third 39. Certainly not youngsters, but talent, as you know, is ageless. And it was great to see them fighting on a route that is not usually their favourite, a 700-metre climb where more explosive riders usually stand out rather than pure climbers like themselves. For years they have been competing on roads all over the world, after having had to leave their beloved South to pursue their dream of professional cycling. You could even say they are good friends – Nibali and Pozzovivo live just a few kilometres from each other in Lugano and often train together – and they certainly had a good time today.

However, the three are going through different times in their cycling experience; Caruso, in particular, is probably at the highest point of his career, a peak which began last year when, against all odds, he rode a spectacular Giro d’Italia ending up second. Since then, his pedigree as a rider has gradually grown and today, he has obtained the joy of winning for the first time in his native Sicily, where he still lives. At the moment, he is perhaps the best option for Italian cycling as far as the big stage races are concerned and these victories will certainly give him the chance to ride as captain in some prestigious races with his Bahrain-Victorious team (at the Giro di Sicilia he is riding with the Italian National Team).