Salvoldi e Bragato, in their respective spheres, expressed the situation and prospects of the Italian expedition towards the World Track Championships in Santiago, Chile, but yesterday another citizen also left with them, making his debut as sole sector manager. For his first experience in the role (which in reality doesn't change anything, given his work in recent seasons) Ivan Quaranta he has prepared a team of sprinters with some novelties not so much in the names, but in the seating arrangement and so there's plenty to do.
The Sprint Team will clarify its ideas
We're starting, both in terms of timing (it will be the first discipline of the World Championships) and specific weight, with team sprint. Quaranta knows there's a lot at stake, especially in framing that much-heralded and eagerly awaited path of progress.
«I confirm the trio that won the European U23 title – says Quaranta – with Napolitano at the launch, Minutes for the second round and Predomo closing. They set the Italian record, so it's a pretty well-tested team.. Then let's see how we are positioned compared to the other trios, I would like to include White to the second cart by moving Minuta to the launch, but we'll see how it goes. For now we are not yet a nation that can win medals among the elite, but we know that we have worked wellWe don't lack anything, so in the second heat we can also allow ourselves to experiment, knowing that we can also make mistakes."
Are you more interested in setting a great time or maybe moving up just one spot, perhaps taking sixth place, which in our view would be like a medal?
For us the first goal must be to be among the top 8 teams, because it still means starting to feel the scent of Olympic qualification. But achieving that also depends on how the others are doing. Then it depends on the time, we set the record in Anadia at 43"2, with that time you would have qualified eighth in ParisBut will it be enough now? It depends on many factors: the track conditions, the weather, who will be against us... Improvement is physiological and shouldn't be forced.
Why will Predomo only be a reserve in the individual trials?
The qualification for the World Cup is through a nominal ranking. Only Stefano Moro and there is no possibility of replacing it except for clear health reasons. Unfortunately this year Mattia had a few problems that prevented him from important appointments. to get the necessary points.
What news do you have from other countries?
Meanwhile there is the big news of the return of Richardson in the English ranks, after competing in several Olympic and World Championships with Australia, where he had moved. This greatly strengthens Great Britain and at the same time weakens the Oceania team. Then there's one more fact to consider: In endurance racing, the other disciplines are compared, many champions have chosen to skip the track season, but in speed racing this doesn't happen.There are already so few races, so every titled race always features the best on the market. It's unlikely that experiments will be carried out; this will be a real world championship. Richardson, Lavreysen, Paul, YakovlevWe'll find them all. It's sure to be a great show.
What did they tell you about the velodrome?
We are at 500 meters, so the benefit of the altitude is not there – says Quaranta – there will definitely be less humidity than at a velodrome at sea level, so it will be slightly more performingTechnically, the track is the same as Montichiari, so 45 percent parabolic and 25 percent straight, with a width of 6 meters and a bend of 6 meters. We can see how smooth the track is when we're there; those 3-4 days before the World Championships will also help us understand what gear ratio to use and what tubular tires to use.
Will there only be Miriam Vece among the women?
Yes. We could participate in the team sprint with the women, we had the rights, but I'm still a juniorThey've played the European Elite Championship, the European Junior Championship, and the World Junior Championship, and I didn't feel like asking for another peak in form. Then you also have to consider the budget available; the trip was very expensive. They'll be competing in the European Championships in February, and that's where we'll start thinking about Olympic qualification, which is everyone's biggest goal.
What does Vece look like?
He's fine, he's always done it. We've also done some tests on the kilometer, but this time he'll do it again. Pregnancy He's a European bronze medalist, but I think he has a good chance of doing well in the kilometer as well. It also falls at a time in the weekly schedule, the day before the keirin, so I preferred not to let him do it. I say that Miriam (with Quaranta in the opening photo, ed.) She's a top 10 player in speed and therefore can also play for a place in the quarter-finals, while in keirin she's a finalist and when you're there anything can happenLike last year, Moro finished fourth at the European Championships for a tubular and tenth at the World Championships. Let's see how it goes day by day; we'll try to get the best results.
