FOLLONICA – Seeing the tough mud ramps attacked, one after the other, by the young athletes who participated in the Italian Youth Cyclocross Championships from Follonica It was a feast for the eyes. Their hunger, their desire to give it their all, regardless of their starting position, is the most vivid memory we carry with us.
Impeccably organized byAsd Romano Scotti, the event attracted over 500 young people from the novice and junior categories, coming from all over the peninsula, to the Central Arena (formerly the racecourse) of Follonica. Suffice it to say that the organizer, Fausto Scotti, wanted red nets to delimit most of the 2.700 metres of the circuit, as in the World Cup trials.The fact that from the hillside of the amphitheater it was possible to admire the entire route (a rarity) added to the spectacle.
«Seeing these young people run is a great pleasure – explains Scotti – We've been coming to this track for six years so everyone knows it a bit.This year we wanted to add a bit of color. And then we had important dignitaries like the president of the Tuscany Region, Eugenio Giani, and the federal president, Dagnoni.
From mother to daughter
In this frame parents also felt more involved, so much so that some chased and cheered on their children, perhaps expending more energy than the latter. As is normal in an Italian championship. "Take gel!" "Push down and up!" "Take a wider line on the curves." These are some of the most popular pieces of advice, up to the almost touching "Come on, it's over!" from one die-hard fan mother. His thirteen-year-old daughter is exhausted by lactic acid at the top of one of the final ramps of the last lapShe gets there crying, with her bike on her shoulder, brushing the barriers and helping herself with a shout to get over the last meter.
And how can we forget the din of bells and trumpets, or even the sound of a chainsaw revving up as our favorites passed by?
The future of the movement
Since the packed technical meeting on Saturday evening (which followed the Team Relay relay races) which took place at the Seaside Village Yes, the comments of the sports directors confirmed the toughness of the route. After reconnaissance, however, even the boys reiterated its difficulty. With a more technical and demanding section, that of the arena's natural ramps, and another where they had to push harder, that of the straights on the flat section.
On the heights of Follonica, the spectators were called "Indians" by the announcer, due to their silhouettes that stood out on the track. Mixed in with them, we also hooked up the coach of the senior national team, Daniele Pontoni.
«These youth team boys – he tells us between one rehearsal and another in Follonica – are the future of the movement and we will find some of them in the senior national teamsI know many of them, but I'll have the chance to see them more closely in the next few days. Especially for the youth categories, we already have a lot to look at and start planning for the upcoming seasons."
Between Borile and Careri
The morning trials, for the beginners, took place on an almost spring-like day, but the skies over Follonica then overcast, bringing a brief moment of light drizzle that presented an additional obstacle for the junior categories. Speaking of obstacles: the organization did not foresee the presence of artificial onesHowever, the long staircase in the second part of the circuit was a real pain in the legs for many, as they obviously had to carry their bikes on their shoulders.
Meanwhile, the boys and girls, on the mud and grass of the circuit set up by the Asd Romano Scotti, did not spare themselves. It should be noted The battle between Alessio Borile and Michel Careri, curve after curve, relaunch after relaunch, with the latter winning in the first-year students category. Among the second-year students instead the already established one has prevailed European champion Tommaso Cingolani, in front of his twin brother PhilipIn the first year female student category, we were impressed by the victory of Matilde Carretta of Gs Mosole who immediately took off, particularly at ease on the slippery course, and led the race alone to the finish line.
For all eight winners who stood on the podium and wore the green, white and red jersey there was the honor of the national anthem, an emotion that is new to many and that they will remember for a long time.
