Nicknames are common among the notables in the Giro, especially for the Italians. Sometimes, however, the rider doesn't like what the sports writers have dubbed him. In Domenico Pozzovivo's case, he has his
own suggestion:
In recent years Vincenzo Nibali was named the "Squalo dello Stretto di Messina" - the shark from the Strait of Messina, Paolo Bettini was "il Grillo" - the Cricket and Paolo Savoldelli was known as the "il Falco" - the Falcon, for his descending skills.
This year Domenico Pozzovivo has been baptised as "il lupo dei Jonio" - the wolf of the Ionian (sea) and the "Pulce di Policoro" the flea from Policoro, for the way he attacked on the climbs.
Pozzovivo doesn't like either the wolf or the flea, especially the flea. He likes what his teammates call him, Dom-dom, after the navigation device Tom-Tom, because he has a good sense of direction.
Some of those nicknames really do sound a bit ridiculous, but I like Dom Dom.
ReplyDeleteI was watching some Pantani footage today and happened to ask myself what they would have called Pantani were he forced to ride with a styrofoam hat.