Professional Cyclist Takes on Delivery Work during Lockdown

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Category: Human Interest

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. parlor / ˈpɑr lər / (n) – a shop that provides specific services or products
    Example:

    The ice cream parlor across the street is usually very busy during weekends.


  2. make the rounds / meɪk ðə raʊndz / (idiom) – to move from one person or place to another
    Example:

    The hospital staff make the rounds on the fifth floor every morning to check up on each patient.


  3. figure / ˈfɪg yər / (n) – a person who has achieved a certain status or reputation
    Example:

    He is one of the youngest sports figures in the country.


  4. clear head / klɪər hɛd / (n) – the ability to think clearly and calmly
    Example:

    It’s hard to concentrate on a task if you don’t have a clear head.


  5. trying times / ˈtraɪ ɪŋ taɪmz / (idiom) – times of difficulty and struggle
    Example:

    Communities need to work together during trying times.


Article

Read the text below.

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.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• Do you agree with Umberto Marengo’s decision to do deliveries in his community during the lockdown? Why or why not?
• What are other little ways that people can do to help each other during this pandemic? Discuss.

Discussion B

• What do you think motivates people to help others during a crisis?
• What do you think prevents people from giving aid to others during a crisis?