The season for Luca Craved The season is now in full swing, and the days of the old champion from Bergamo are moving at an almost infernal pace, between training sessions for his girls and preparations for the constant travel. The Fas-Valcar team's activity, as had been established when the "offspring" team of the road team was founded, has a strong international focus, confirming that image of an “almost professional” team that was envisioned.
The Lombard team also took part in the long American trip, giving up Alice Maria Brawls to the national team but taking the other three girls overseas: Eva Lechner, Silvia Perch and Lucy Craved and the results overall were really satisfying: «Bringing a full team across the Atlantic, especially in this period, is not easy, we had to adapt, fortunately the Cannondale he provided us with a very good mechanic who gave us a big hand."
Eva Lechner also managed to get a Top 10 finish, and doing so against so many Dutch competitors is never easy…
Her haul could have been even more conspicuous, but in the first race she suffered a stuck tubular that slowed her down significantly. Eva is having a good time, she is calm and serene mentally and when she is like this she performs better, considering that we are still at the beginning of the season, it can only get better.
What can you say about Silvia Persico, always considered number 3 in the national scene?
The results speak for themselves, they have already shown that they have made a qualitative leap. Both in America but even more so on her return to Europe, she has established herself in the Top 15 and has reduced the gap to the strongest, It's a significant and constant improvement that makes me very confident.
For your daughter Lucia it was the furthest trip...
A beautiful experience, which he lived with great emotion. At 18, she found herself competing among the big names, something unexpected, then considering how the Americans worked, it seemed like an immense wonderland… But she adapted well and wasn't intimidated at all. Then, in Europe, she even finished eighth in her category and earned a nice cash prize...
Speaking of America, Did you also like the World Championships route like Pontoni did??
Of course! It was a wonderful surprise. I knew they had invested a lot in it, but When you find yourself with at least 3 kilometers of path built from scratch, all with reclaimed earth, you are astonished and think about how something like this is possible coming from our reality. They spent sums that are unimaginable for us.
On the eve of the season, Valcar's arrival in the world of cyclocross was seen as a big gamble. After your initial experiences, how does the coexistence work?
Very good, as agreed, even better. Last weekend, for example, the owner Arzeni he was in Holland for the team's road races, On Sunday he joined us in Zonhoven for the World Cup stage, making himself completely availableThey are two different realities, we said it, but on these foundations we can really work well and hard.
Let's go back to Lucia for a moment: in her case you have to take on a dual role, that of technician and father...
In fact, managing the business is more difficult for her than for the others, just think that on Sunday we arrived home at 1.30 and at 7 he was already up to go to school. I must say, however, that I don't need to be a pushover; she's truly responsible and focused on both activities. Her performance at school is more than satisfactory. She knows this is her final year, and she needs to focus a lot.
You manage a team with four top female staff: do you think it's possible to expand further, perhaps to include some males?
We'll see. Until last year, I was managing Gioele. Bertolini and things worked, but I must also say that, from the first few weeks I experienced, managing the team as it is structured is… all-encompassing. There are many ideas for the future, including a mixed team, but it's too early to talk about it.
In America you found yourself in close contact with Pontoni in his new role: how are things going between the two of you?
Great, as athletes we were rivals, but that's a thing of the past. From what I've seen and heard, Daniele has already created a decidedly positive atmosphere in the team. When he took office, we spoke. He asked me to be honest, to tell him when he's wrong, to be cooperative, and I'm fully available. Opening our doors to everyone is creating a foundation of serenity that will benefit everyone. We must continue like this.
