Le Massimo's answers Ghirotto The situation of Italian cyclocross has attracted a lot of interest in the environment, but there is one aspect that is worth revisiting. The head of the off-road sector of the FCI had made it clear that a project related to the discipline already exists and is framed in the broader discourse relating to the Performance Group, the structure led by Diego Bragato. In this context, since the end of his first season as a city, Pontoni has begun to carry out tests and survey the cycling base to truly understand what foundations we can work on in the future.
We therefore wanted to find out more by speaking directly with Bragato, who is directly responsible for the project, which he follows in conjunction with his track-related commitments. With Villa and the national team in Argentina, finding a time out in his work (he is in Montichiari to follow those who remained to train in Italy) was not easy, but his every word shows the great passion and commitment he is putting into it.
«We started from a structural program – he explains – moving forward in small steps because this is a very broad, long-term, organic workThe tests requested by Pontoni represented a sort of census to understand what basis we can work on."
How many kids were involved?
The first testing phase took place in Gemona and involved 35 kids, the second in Montichiari 14Someone was present at both sessions and it is no coincidence that the second one took place at the track because the basic idea is to test the boys' aptitude in each discipline. We have thus begun to fill our cyclocross database, which will gradually expand by working with smaller categories. This has allowed us to understand what to do progressively.
After the tests, how did you progress?
Based on that data, Pontoni has started planning the rallies Selecting the boys he deems mature enough to join the UCI youth categories, namely Junior and U23. These are important events that help us see how the boys work, how they recover, and what technical foundations they have. Now, for example, we will have a retreat in which we will work mainly on training planning between one race and another.I would also like to underline that we also involved Dr. Elisabetta in the project. Borgia, to provide psychological support to the kids as they approach events. This is done through ongoing testing, which we use to continually update our program.
Is this a job you do alone, in constant contact with Pontoni?
I couldn't do it, it would be absurd, also because, as mentioned, cyclocross is only a portion of a much larger project that involves the entire cycling discipline. With me are Marco Decet and Marco Compri, who help me with general management.
Is the multi-discipline aspect also included in the cyclocross project?
Of course, but this is the basis of our entire structure. We examine the kids and subject them to tests to verify their aptitudes, and if necessary direct them towards the one or ones most suited to their characteristics.. Let's take for example the case of the Venturelli, who competes on the road, track, and cyclocross: we monitor her constantly, evaluating not only her results but also her situation in each discipline and the necessary rest and break periods between them. But there's more...
Or?
We monitor a large number of kids for cercare talents to be developed by putting them in the best conditions, but we could not do this without the necessary support of the companies. The dialogue with them is constant, with the various cittì who carry out this task consistently, giving and receiving essential input. I also make no secret of the fact that this work must also be compared with what is happening in other disciplines.
If you look closely, the Performance Group project closely follows what has been done for many years in Great Britain…
It's very true, we took many of the basic ideas checking the work and the growth of British colleagues and Australians too. Their sport has also been structured around a similar project for many years. It should also be noted that we're trying to apply this idea to our industry, so we're also drawing on what happens in the major WorldTour teams, whose work is rooted in the younger generations through satellite companies.
The British and Australian systems begin with sports in general and branch out into various disciplines. Here, it seems the process is reversed...
It's a mutually reimbursable project – Bragato admits – as mentioned, we also engage with other non-cycling entities. Our goal is find talents and establish a “mindset”, A virtuous system that leads to consistent and consistent international results. It will take time, especially in cyclocross. I'm very sorry that this discipline is not Olympic, because I strongly believe in its identity as the technical foundation for every other cycling specialty.
Pontoni often emphasizes that it is a long-term project.
It couldn't be otherwise. We can't imagine that the enormous gap that exists today with the top of the discipline, represented by champions like Van Aert, Van Der Poel e pidcock be filled in a few years. We are already more advanced among women, but what matters is to ensure that this movement is always rich in innovation. So far, I've seen a great open-mindedness among the kids and a willingness to collaborate, both on their part and that of the clubs. It means a lot of work has already been done.
