Bartali belongs to those who believe in tradition. He is the supernatural person protected by the Saints. Coppi has no one in heaven who cares about him. The agent and the masseur do not have wings, they are not angels. He is lonely, alone on his bike. Bartali prays while cycling. The skeptic, rational Cartesian Coppi is full of doubts, he only believes in his body which is the engine, his machine.