October 6, 2003 (Toronto, ON) – The year-end celebration hosted by the Ontario Cycling Association and Gears Racing/Gears Bike Shop this past weekend was as a party and an awards ceremony. A special award was given out to the original “dreamers” behind the Hamilton 2003 Road Worlds bid that awarded the city the go-ahead from the UCI to host the Championships. In recognition of their dedication, vision, and perseverance in bringing the Road Worlds to Hamilton this award was given to two local Italian tifosi, Giuseppe Ferrara, a local Hamilton businessman who was frame builder in Italy years ago, and Giancarlo Serrafero, the co-owner of North American Bici, a distributor of Italian cycling products across Canada. Pedal Magazine was able to speak with Giuseppe Ferrara that evening about his thoughts and feelings about the upcoming week:

Pedal: How long have you been involved in this event?

Ferrara: It's been seven years. In the last year and a half, it's been really full time. The last couple of months it's been fourteen, sixteen hours days.

Pedal: How does it feel that this is actually happening now?

Ferrara: It's really difficult to say because there is so much to do; there is so much happening. I don't think we've had the time to just sit down and think about what it feels like. I know what it's going to feel like the day after. It's going to be a massive letdown; we won't have that much to do. But the achievement will be so strong; it will be so big, that we'll feel great.

Pedal: Would you compare it to the Olympics – maybe?

Ferrara: It's the absolute highest single event to have to present in the world. It is the biggest. It's the Olympics of cycling.

Pedal: What is the best aspect of organizing an event like this? What keeps you going at the end of the day?

Ferrara: What keeps me going? (Laughs). It's a very easy answer. It's the kids. That's what it comes down to.

Pedal: Why the kids?

Ferrara: When I was 13 years old I lived in a town of fifteen thousand people in Italy. The guy from the local butcher shop, the guy from the local grocery shop, and the guy that was retired, would take turns to take us training, take us racing, and make sure we stayed out of trouble.

So I guess I was blessed that I found so many people like that, and it kept me out of trouble. And I guess, if I can do something, to keep some kids off the streets and on the road (cycling) – then I will be happy.

Pedal: What are you plans after the Worlds?

Ferrara: I guess I have to go back and get a job -a paying job! And hopefully have a normal life. Look after my kids, look after my wife, and just enjoy!

Pedal: Are you going to be able to watch anything this week or you going to be running around like crazy?

Ferrara: I'm going to do all of the above!