Reggio Emilia, July 30, 2026 – The man from Correggio Riccardo Bondavalli is the Italian champion of paracycling. A milestone achieved in the MC1 category over the weekend in Zoppola, in the province of Pordenone, but which – beyond the sporting feat – tells an extraordinary story of redemption. A former goalkeeper at the youth level, in 2011 he risked dying trapped in the wreckage of his car, flipping over several times and ending his run in a ditch. From there, a tough rehabilitation with a single desire, to be able to walk again, then the tunnel of drug addiction, rebirth at San Patrignano and a strenuous climb back. Today he helps young people in the community entry process and, on a bicycle, he has a very clear dream: the blue jersey.
Let’s start from the end: why the bicycle?
“In 2019, after leaving San Patrignano, I felt the need to get back to the physical side, which I had neglected since the accident. What can I do?, I asked myself. I had always liked the bike and I took it in hand: but what a struggle! I felt endless pain, especially in my legs and back, then gradually better and better. And you know what?”.
Please.
“While pedaling I realized I could get closer to others, eliminate the differences I feel compared to how it was before the accident. I started studying, researching, understanding and I focused on road cycling: I met Obiettivo 3, a sports club founded by Alex Zanardi in May 2017 to recruit, start and concretely support people with disabilities in practicing Paralympic sport. I did a camp with them and started competing, up to the success at the Italian championships in Zoppola.”
What is your category?
“MC1. I use a standard bike and, on a scale from 1 to 5, mine is the most disabling category.”
What did you think when you crossed the finish line, winning in a sprint?
“A feeling different from everything else I have experienced, for all the effort I made. A result that justifies all the sacrifices of recent years and that takes on even more value because my parents were with me, not to mention the thousand messages from lifelong friends and the support of the specialists who collaborate on my results. This result makes me understand that the path I have taken is the right one.”
Next goals?
“From September Obiettivo 3 will take me in charge. I want to improve even more and wearing the national team jersey would be fantastic.”
Let’s rewind and go back to 2011: have you ever wondered what your life would have been like without the accident?
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“Always, remorse always resurfaces. I have been working on it for a couple of years with a psychologist and I want to resolve this aspect at all costs. I was at the peak of my energy, I was afraid of nothing, I slept very little. And, in fact, I fell asleep. Like an idiot. Today I have beautiful prospects, but I could have spared myself: the disability reminds me every day what I did.”
For you who wanted to be a footballer, a nightmare.
“After the accident I had a single goal: to get back on my feet. And I did it, not missing a single day of physiotherapy. But, in doing so, I underestimated one thing: in taking care of the body, I forgot to take care of the mind. And I started using substances and alcohol.”
What do you remember about the years at San Patrignano?
“My dad and my mom took me to an association; I listened to those who – like me today – told me about their path in the community, but I went back home and continued to self-destruct. Then, one night, in a moment of clarity I said: mom, I want to go to SanPa.”
How was your journey?
“After a month of pre-community in Botticella, near Rimini, I started a path that was anything but easy: you are nervous, angry, yet around you you always find someone who helps you, who never lets you go. After a year and a half I turned a corner and in two years and eight months total I got out: I have to thank my family and my friends, who never abandoned me.”
And today, what do you do?
“San Patrignano helped me, now I try to give back. With an association, where my parents also collaborate, we meet young people and accompany them until they enter the community. I see that the best medicine for them is to be able to talk to someone at their level, capable of unmasking excuses and lies. Then it takes time to digest it, a bit like what happened to me.”
What do you see in your future?
“There are many people who love me, a sign that before the accident I had sown something good. I continue to work on myself, enjoying the moment, both personally and sportingly. And I hope to reach the next milestone: the blue jersey.”
