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Imagined Preeminence-Ricco Revisited

Is it just me or do many of these guys seem to have an inflated sense of self?
Ricco after his most recent win:


"[We've had] two beautiful success for me and the team," said Ricco'. "I've confirmed that the returned Riccò is competitive and I'm satisfied. I could not ask for more and I am very happy."
 
Jun 13, 2009
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PACONi thinks that anyone who talks about themselves in the third person is a douche.
 
Dec 12, 2009
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3rd person

PACONi said:
PACONi thinks that anyone who talks about themselves in the third person is a douche.

Well, it seems like this is pretty common among the Italians--that and mentioning others by their last name instead of their first. It does seem kind of strange, but it doesn't really make anyone a dbag, does it? Then again, it doesn't really matter.
 
Choocher said:
Well, it seems like this is pretty common among the Italians--that and mentioning others by their last name instead of their first. It does seem kind of strange, but it doesn't really make anyone a dbag, does it? Then again, it doesn't really matter.

Ricco is somewhat of a prominent exception to the norm, however. It's like he speaks of some sort of redemptive phoenix. I would wonder what an Italian fan thinks about such a short period of humility considering his recent drama.
 
Jul 13, 2009
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Oldman said:
Ricco is somewhat of a prominent exception to the norm, however. It's like he speaks of some sort of redemptive phoenix. I would wonder what an Italian fan thinks about such a short period of humility considering his recent drama.

They probably love it, and rightly so. Every story needs a villain and some people just insist on playing the part.
 
Mar 31, 2010
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In Italy people love that look at the succes of Berlusconi and Cipollini and also Pantani.

If you ever watch the rai during the Giro you are in for a treat. They invite like Cipollini for every race to talk about afterwards where Cipo usually ends in a tirade bashing anything he saw and it's funny as hell too. One time Sella came in the studio after he won a stage and Cipo called Sella's manager Reverberi Snow White because he has a team full of dwarfs. Sella tried to counter back but his comment was totally unfunny and made no sence.
 
Mar 31, 2010
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It's also why Vandenbroucke was so popular in Italy. Vdb once said: "I don't race I give performances..."

Wow! _O_

Ricco is also most famous for verbally assaulting his opponents. His story's are legendary.
 
Jul 13, 2009
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tubularglue said:
third person: straight up Pantani,

and we know the outcome of that tragedy

By most accounts, Pantani was a friendly, unassuming man. Some of his words were blown a bit out of proportion, but he generally did not have a big mouth. I don't think the role of Italian idol fitted his personality and I don't think he is remembered accurately by the general public.
 
Jonathan said:
They probably love it, and rightly so. Every story needs a villain and some people just insist on playing the part.

I get the impression he actually believes what he says, like his suspension and girlfriend were a minor deviation in training. As for the third person references, this shouldn't be bashing Italians as there are plenty of atheletes that do it.