Professional Cyclist Takes on Delivery Work during Lockdown

レアジョブ英会話 Daily News Article Podcast

Italian professional cyclist Umberto Marengo has been doing deliveries across Turin in Northern Italy to help people during the pandemic. Marengo is a member of the professional cycling team Vini Zabù-KTM. The team was able to qualify for the Giro d'Italia, one of the three major European competitions for professional cyclists. Unfortunately, because of the coronavirus, the race was postponed from its original start date of May 9. While on lockdown, Marengo got the idea of doing deliveries after seeing an online ice cream parlor that offered home-delivery service. The cyclist thought that his talent could be used to help people who need deliveries during this difficult time. Marengo got in touch with the local council to ask for permission, and he was soon making the rounds in his community on his racing bike while wearing his team’s jersey. Marengo does around 30 deliveries a day. Aside from delivering food, he also helps people shop for household supplies. The cyclist works with a couple of local shops to bring people’s orders straight to their homes. Because of his efforts, Marengo has become a well-known figure in his community, and his story has been featured both on local TV and in the newspaper. One article about him claimed that doing deliveries helps him train for the Giro d'Italia. However, Marengo clarified that the activity benefits him mentally more than physically as it helps him keep a clear head. He added that he is simply happy to be able to do community service during these trying times.