We're almost there. After last year's great success, The date of the Cyclocross World Cup in Val di Sole in Vermiglio is fast approaching. The snow stage, so to speak, the one that last year, in its first edition, provided a memorable show full of skids, champions, cold, falls, snow, and competitive tension. Yesterday saw the official presentation of the race, renamed "snowcross," organized by Great Val di Sole Events e Flanders Classics, scheduled for December 17th.
Champions from all over the world are expected: from Mathieu Van der Poel to Fem Van Empel, from Tom Pidcock to Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado. But also our kids, like for example Nicolas Samparisi, one of the seven Italians who managed to score points in the last edition. The rider of the KTM Alchemist Powered by Brenta Brakes He tells us about the race and the Trentino route.
Nicolas, what's it like running in the snow?
Strange! It is certainly the terrain that changes the most. At first, it's very well-trodden and compact. It's slippery, but smooth. As you progress, the snow melts a bit and, more importantly, flakes off. It becomes very similar to sand and the hardest thing is to maintain the trajectory.
Let's imagine a race on snow is tougher and therefore slower: how many fewer kilometers do you think are covered in the hour of the race? If it's quantifiable...
In the end I think the difference is not that big and that it can be compared to a race with a lot of mud. The first laps are fast overall. You enter the corners slower, but they stay fast. Then you go slower, like a wet race on mud.
The route was presented, did you notice any differences?
Basically, it will be the same as last year's. It was a very beautiful course, which was successful and didn't require any substantial changes. It was a very important race for the movement. a real advertisement to bring cyclocross to the Olympics and this year the participation will be even greater.
How important is the 2021 experience?
When I was a junior, I often ran in Belgium, and it wasn't uncommon to find snow. Now it doesn't happen anymore, and honestly, that experience is of little use. Also because it remains a unique race, an end in itself. It's certainly an unusual feeling. It's a bit like racing in Koksijde... a circuit entirely on sand.
Technically you already know what to expect, the setups... are you going there more prepared?
Anyone who ran in Val di Sole last year certainly knows what's needed. I know what I'm getting into. For example, I have the idea of starting with one tire and finishing with another.I also know how to dress: heavier. Last year I set out with my national team fleece bodysuit and leg warmers: this year, in case of cold weather, I'll dress more heavily. Above all, I'll be more careful with my hands and feet because it was really cold. They are small things that, when put together, can make a difference.
You said you'd start with one tire and finish with another. So do you plan on switching bikes mid-race?
Exact, a more knobbly tyre at the beginning when there can be more grip on the compact surface and a sand tyre in the second part. As I mentioned, in Val di Sole the real struggle comes in the second half of the race. When the terrain is loose and very powdery, whether you have a fast-rolling tire or a mud tire matters less. If anything, the compound matters more. Last year, for example, Van Aert used the green one which is ideal for low temperatures. I remember instead that Pidcock did many tests: he started with the mud one, then he moved on to the sand one, he went back to the mud one and finally he also tried the “thousand-point” one (the sand one, ed.).
By the way, Nicolas, how did you get to this event? How's your season going?
I'd say well. I started with a victory and this gives you morale, it makes you understand that you are working in the right direction. And I know I have a lot of work to do... a lot. I finished my mountain bike season in late October and struggled at first to get used to the explosiveness of cross-country. It'll take me a good month to get to that level.
So the goal is to be at the top of our game by January, when the Italian championship approaches?
Exact, that's my main goal of the cyclocross season.
