Don Ambrogio Mazzai and the challenge against a time that is always short

The man of God on the pedals: Don Ambrogio Mazzai and cycling.

Veronese, 29 years old, Don Ambrogio Mazzai has been a priest for four years and currently he holds the positions of deputy vice priest in the Parocchia San Massimo, Bishop and youth leader of the north west area of Verona, serving his community and neighborhood.
An extraordinary mission by Don Ambrogio, seasoned by the most common passions such as photography, which defines the normal evolution of pictorial art: “Today everyone takes thousands of photos, but very few worthy of note. They are certainly good memories, but as an art form photography is very significant. In fact, an image says more than a thousand words. ” But it is the thousand words and emotions arising from pedaling on his bicycle that give shape to what is the only passion that has the power to transform a man into a hamster who suffers on the rollers.

When was your passion for cycling born?
“When I was about 20 years old. I had to find a way to do motorcycles and, since I am denied in football, I started riding bikes. Cycling, however, I was already breathing it at home with my brother Francesco and my dad Adriano who ran until amateurism. ”

What made you choose cycling?
“The desire to know my city, Verona, especially in the less visited places, to enjoy a beautiful panorama, climbing the Torricelle, the hills that embrace it, from which you can see the whole city. From there I began to extend the “range” to visit the entire province by bike and I discovered a wonderful territory, but also that the bike is the best way to move and play sport. ”

Do you ride only among the beauties of Veneto?
“I am a member of the Avesani team and I did some amateur competitions. Racing is always motivating; competition somehow belongs to us. It flows in our blood. But in cycling there is a fundamental variable: since one wins out of many, the need to help, to collaborate, to sacrifice is born spontaneously so that the best are able to finalize. ”

In the dilemma “cycling is or is not a team sport”, which side do you take?
“He is definitely a team player, but the best wins. Let’s say that it lends itself by nature to different approaches. ”
Among these, which one do you consider most “yours”?
“I am more lonely in this sense and in fact I go better in the time trial and time trial. I like to challenge time, above all because, apart from this quarantine period, we always have short time. ”

Do you believe that this period has the power to transform our concept of time?
“I hope so, although this will not be the main consequence of this period. We are used to getting up early in the morning and ending up late in the evening, perhaps even with the difficulty of falling asleep for thoughts and worries. Now, in some ways, it seems to be on vacation or in a sort of house arrest. But this is not how we live time, but as a precious gift, giving priority to the most important things, to the things that do us the best, in addition to what is necessary. ”

Social distancing measures have affected normality, including cycling. Do you want to send a message to all sportsmen and fans?
“I don’t know if I am the most suitable person to send a message, however I would say not to stop. Use creativity to stay moving and fit. A healthy body keeps the mind healthy. If everyone were sports people who keep themselves healthy, the health system would certainly have benefited, as it would have benefited in normal times. ”

How was this Easter?
“Unique I would say. The fact of not physically meet people is a pain, but on the other hand we now have excellent means of communication to be close anyway. ”

How does it feel to be a man of God and to be on a bicycle?
“For me it is an excellent opportunity to reflect, pray,” recharge the batteries “. For other people it seems to me that this is an opportunity to make two words, different from the usual light speeches that are made between “normal” exit companions. ”

Cycling is a sport that can give and take away a lot, which seems difficult to keep up with new times. What key would you use to evolve a sport still so “traditionalist” and what would you say to those who have the negative sides of this cycling or are undergoing them?

“I would say that the key to evolution is integration: cycling is health, well-being, social relations, tourism and job opportunities, popular sport … When these things will complement and strengthen each other, this will drag on its evolution. If only everyone could grasp its value, half the problems would disappear. But as that says: “If you have a product, but you don’t have a brand, you have nothing.” So the cycling brand must be “sold” to the best, because the substance is already there.
As for those who suffer or experience the shadows of this sport, I would like to say not to be hindered by the misadventures that are part of everyone’s life. In cycling there is room for everyone and there are also different opportunities. It is therefore not necessary to become pro at all costs, but to give your best. When one does one’s best, one can go to sleep with the heart in peace.
The tragedies, then, are wounds that hardly heal. Working so that they don’t happen again is the best part that everyone can do, to make cycling safer and an opportunity for joy. ”

Ilenia Milanese