Italian cyclocross restarts, despite Covid: word of Fausto Scotti. Abroad, it's not known. Even the world championship in Ostende is starting to look around to see if the cancellations between the Netherlands and Belgium They'll even come close to the World Cup date. What's certain is that the casualness with which the virus was greeted up there in the first few months now seems to have vanished amid new infections and renewed concerns.
The Italians have announced the calendar of the Giro d'Italia Cyclocross, The result of painstaking diplomatic work between the organizing clubs. But at least now, the athletes in this specialty have the opportunity to design a comprehensive program.
Crisis in Northern Europe
Fausto Scotti is the technical commissioner of the Italian national team and being one of those who helped build the Giro, he has a rather reliable point of view on the situation.
«In Belgium and Holland – he says – they are starting to worry. Someone like Van der Poel, a true cross-country superstar, is realizing that the usual paychecks are no longer available. Mayors have in some cases canceled events and in others barred public access.
«Despite the new World Cup calendar just launched, Koksijde's test was cancelled, as well as Gieten. Now there is talk of a possible cancellation of Hoogerheide on January 25, a week before the World Cup. At that point lights what does he do? And will the European Championships in November, which Groenendaal is organising, take place?
Scotti, how are things going in Italy?
The situation is thorny And if things seem to be going a little better in Italy at the moment, reaching a reliable schedule was certainly no easy feat.
«We came out late with the Giro d'Italia calendar – explains Scotti – also changing the booking method, allowing registrations and cancellations up to the week before. We're taking it one day at a time, because the risk of everything coming to a halt hasn't disappeared yet.
«We will have seven stages, up and down Italy and it wasn't easy due to the lack of sponsors. The municipalities were absent, fortunately the organizing companies were at our side. I'm talking about DP 66, Bike Italia Tour, Team Bike Terenzi, Jam's Bike, Team Buja, Ferentino Bikers and OP. There would also have been the company Michele Bartoli, with whom we wanted to organize in Pontedera. However, Michele and his brother Mauro, who raced a lot in cross-country as kids, are starting a team. So I told them to continue down that path. Because organizing is important, but getting kids on bikes is no less important.
The distraction of MTB
This is the activity, but it remains to be seen how the limited calendar could discourage athletes, always tempted by road or mountain biking.
«Apart from the multipurpose ones – Scotti nods – and excluding the various Braidot, Colledani and Filippo FontanaMany elite athletes have set their sights on the Olympics, ignoring cross-country skiing. I must say that the publicity generated by the victories of Van Aert and Van der Poel, as well as Trentin, have been a great advertisement for the discipline. The obstacle that makes it increasingly difficult for road racers to come is the new regulationsIf you get lapped, you're out of the race. I think that's a mistake. Many are embarrassed to come, when they should treat it as a phase of athletic preparation and not be looking for a performance."
Puglia on the shields
The Italian championship will take place in Lecce, confirming the beautiful (rediscovered) attitude of Puglia, with the Tre Mari circuit and the Gallipoli stage of the Giro d'Italia Ciclocross which drive a growing regional movement.
«What we are trying to do – Scotti continues – is lend a hand to neighboring regions, so that they can organize themselves and create larger circuits. Some have now become independent, like Lazio, which has 8-9 stages. The Giro d'Italia will feature around 650-700 athletes, compared to an Italian cycling movement of around 3.000. That's a significant number, both in terms of movement and for companies. We're talking about people with at least three bikes in their garages. Not exactly small numbers..."
