Astana pro rider Davide Martinelli has used his down time
away from racing to help those in need in northern Italy during the Covid19
crisis.
He is now working to courier medicines to people in need,
using his bike to get from place to place.
Martinelli (26) said he was taking precautions, by
wearing mask and gloves, but said with many elderly people isolated due the
lockdown, he felt fortunate to be able to help them.
“It all started thanks to a group of Lodettesi boys including my cousin Stefano, who organised himself for the delivery of drugs and food to people, especially to the elderly, who do not have the opportunity to go to Rovato to buy them,” he said.
“I have heard various stories that touched me about people who are unable to travel to our capital and who have solved their problems thanks to these volunteers.
Advertisement
"Over the years I have received so much from my community, but I have hardly had the opportunity to repay it because of the life that often leads me to be away from home.”
Related News
He said in his community of
Lodetto, where about 1,500 people live, there was no pharmacy or grocery store.
However he had been able to
repay the community for the support it had extended to him down the years by
taking essentials to isolated people on his bike, performing cycle courier runs
for those most in need.
He added he had “a bike, backpack and two legs” and that
was all he needed to be able to make a difference.
“Today I had the honor of
being able to go to the pharmacy to collect medicines for an elderly couple,”
he explained.
“In total it was about 30
minutes and about 10km, nothing special for an athlete. But when I delivered
them to her door, obviously with the necessary precautions (mask and gloves) I
felt gratitude that still echoes in my head.”
Topics
