Tribute to Agostino Omini
On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, a tribute was paid at the Sanctuary of Madonna del Ghisallo to Agostino Omini, a historical figure in cycling, who passed away on July 31, 2024, shortly before his 98th birthday. His family, former executives, and cyclists attended the mass in his memory, officiated by the Rector of the Sanctuary, Don Giovanni Giovannoni.
The long life of Agostino Omini was dedicated to sport, particularly to cycling. His managerial career in the world of two wheels began way back in 1950, on a path of continuous growth from the grassroots to the highest echelons of the UCI, the world governing body of cycling. Born in Milan into a large family, he settled with his family in Novate Milanese, where the Omini brothers had founded the family business. Although he did not have a past as a competitive cyclist, Omini began his political-organizational path by directing the Simonetta sports group in Milan in 1950. This club was part of the lively Milanese youth cycling scene of the time, based near the Sempione and Roserio area, a place linked to cycling also thanks to Giovanni Testori’s novel “il dio di Roserio.” In 1954, he directed the U.S. Mozzatese, gaining vast experience, which led to his election to the board of the Lombard Regional Committee of the FCI in 1962. His talents were noted by Adriano Rodoni, the “presidentissimo” of the FCI, who tested his abilities by appointing him head of the transport sector for the World Championships in Salò in 1962.
From the FCI to the Italian and international heights of cycling.
The journey of Agostino Omini saw him enter professional cycling in 1968 as vice-president of the UCIP – Unione Ciclismo Italiano Professionistico – the body of the FCI that managed the thriving Italian professional sector, made up of “squadroni” (big teams) and great cyclists. During this period, he intensified organizational collaboration in Milan with Vincenzo Torriani. From 1973, Omini led the Lombard Regional Committee FCI, and statistics confirm that until 1980 the number of clubs and, even more so, that of registered members (i.e., cyclists and other affiliates) doubled under his direction. From 1975, Rodoni and general secretary Pacciarelli entrusted him with the superintendence for the FCI of the organizational aspects of the World Championships in Puglia in 1976. A fundamental step in his career was his election as president of the Federazione Italiana Ciclismo (Italian Cycling Federation) in January 1981, a position he held continuously until January 1995. These were years of change and ferment for Italian cycling, which achieved numerous international results during that period. Among these stand out the world championships won by Giuseppe Saronni in 1982, by Moreno Argentin in 1986, by Maurizio Fondriest in 1988, and by Gianni Bugno in 1991 and 1992. During Agostino Omini‘s presidency, with Renato Di Rocco as general secretary, the organizational structure of Italian cycling was further strengthened, also through events such as the Sei Giorni di Milano (Six Days of Milan) and organizational support for important events such as the Giro di Sardegna, the Sassari-Cagliari, the Trofeo Laigueglia, the Giro d’Italia for amateurs, and various Italian championships. From 1985 to 1988, Omini was also an elected member of the CONI board, the governing body of Italian sport.
Recognitions and his footprint in world cycling.
Agostino Omini‘s influence also extended to European and world levels. In 1989, he promoted the creation of the Union Européenne de Cyclisme (UEC). From 1993, he simultaneously held the positions of Vice-President Vicar of the UCI, Vice-President of the UEC, and President of the UCI amateur sector. Previously, since 1977, he had already debuted at an international management level as Vice-President of the FIC.P., the Professional Federation, which later merged into the UCI. In 1996, the UCI appointed him president of its supervisory committee for the World Championships. His presence was significant in numerous rainbow jersey events, such as the 1985 World Championships in Montello and Bassano del Grappa, those in Verona in 1999 (when he had already reached prominent positions in the governance of world cycling) and again as general coordinator of the world event in Verona and Bardolino in 2004. His political acumen in cycling was recognized globally with the awarding, in April 2000 in Paris, of the highest honor of the Olympic movement, the Olympic Order, by the IOC president, Antonio Samaranch. In 2001, the UCI congress appointed him “Honorary Vice-President for life.” His long journey in cycling was studded with great satisfactions and recognitions, marking the history of cycling management from 1950 across five continents.
Remembered at the Sanctuary of Madonna del Ghisallo
The figure of Agostino Omini is remembered at the Sanctuary with a photo placed among those of the executives who gave so much to cycling. During the celebration on April 30, 2025, the commemorative image was blessed.
These are the words of the Rector of the Sanctuary dedicated to Agostino Omini during the Mass: <br> In this sanctuary, we look to Mary, patroness of cyclists, or as described in the decree of Pius XII of 1949 “Italicorum birota vialorum.” A decree that gave Mary a task, among the many she already has. Who knows if they asked her before giving it to her. Like when they issue a decree for us priests with a new assignment, which is issued after at least notifying the priest.
Besides, someone higher up than the Pope had already given her the task of looking after everyone. So we are here to turn to her and place ourselves under her protection, and today, in particular, it is Agostino whom we want to entrust to her, since he too has worked hard for the “birota viatorum.” When someone has a long journey ahead of them, we usually tell them that they have to pedal, but thinking of Agostino Omini‘s life, one wants to say: “What a ride, guys.” Let it be a great ride for his long life, even if we know very well that it seems like a lot from the outside, but I don’t think the person concerned would have stopped of their own free will. Psalm 89 says: “The years of our life are seventy, or eighty for the strongest.” If that’s the case, Agostino was, far from just robust, a prodigy of vital energy. And indeed, just by listing all the roles he held, you get an idea. He certainly didn’t just warm the chair, as they say for those with only formal appointments. Here too, looking at the rich array of commitments he took on, as a manager, in various cycling associations for more than half a century, one wants to say: what a ride, guys. When Pope Francis told young people not to spend their lives on the couch, I think he had people like Agostino in mind. That is, people who know how to devote themselves, making their passion, their abilities, and their skills available to leave a legacy, certainly including initiatives and projects carried out, but above all a testimony, a style, of how life is not something you keep and live only for yourself.
Perhaps you remember Jesus’ words: “whoever wants to save their life will lose it.” That is, whoever wants to save their spaces, their time, their comforts, in the end loses the beauty, the joy of an existence that receives so much, precisely because it gives so much. But like every ride, however long and intense, even that of Agostino ended a year ago: he finished his race, as Saint Paul writes: “I have finished my race, now there remains for me only the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will hand over to me on that day.” Paul speaks of expecting a crown, perhaps Agostino Omini, more than a crown, will have received an honorary pink jersey for all the merits gained in his years of commitment in the world of cycling. Now, Mary, we entrust him to you, who look with a mother’s eye on all those who travel with the Birota. For him, we offer you our prayer and we again ask for your help, your protection for all those who, like Agostino, commit themselves to this sporting world. A final thought, perhaps a little ironic, comes to mind when thinking about the prayer for the deceased. When we pray for our departed, we say “eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.” Well! Eternal rest must be deadly boring, so I think it’s better to ask God that Agostino can continue to live his passion for the world of cycling with enthusiasm and that he be given a fine appointment, as guardian angel of all the cycling associations of which he was a part.
They spoke about Agostino Omini:
https://www.ciclismomilano.it/?p=13502
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https://www.inbici.net/in-evidenza/il-presidente-agostino-omini-ci-lascia-a-98-anni/ https://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/sport/ciclismo-in-lutto-e-morto-agostino-omini-vice-presidente-onorario-a-vita-dell-uci_85373386-202402k.shtml
https://www.sportitalia.it/2024/08/03/drammatico-addio-nello-sport-italiano-e-morto-il-presidente
https://www.bicitv.it/tag/agostino-omini
https://www.ilgiornale.it/news/sport/omini-90-anni-pedalate-mito-coppi-pantani-1314092.html https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/cyclisme/cyclisme-le-vice-president-honoraire-de-luci-agostino-omini-est-decede-1618a1d6-4f14-11ef-b169-5a3a31fb9518
