There is one month left until European track champions, first act of the post-Olympic season. Marco Villa He has lived many, but he already knows that this one has a particular value because all the cards need to be reshuffled, after a shorter than usual four-year period, fortunate in its Parisian epilogue, but after which the big names decided to put the track aside for a while (competitively speaking, of course, because in Montichiari Ganna, Milan and company are always at home).
We therefore need to redesign the national team and Villa is already thinking intensely about the team he will bring to Zolder for the continental tournament in mid-FebruaryStarting from the basics.
«We will have to add experienced people – he says – to those young people promoted from the under 23 category, for the performance and group specialties, where I want to see them in action taking responsibilityIt will be a first competitive step, but in the meantime we are already laying the foundations, just think that at least thirty boys have passed through Montichiari, the group from which we will have to choose».
Have you managed to find a balance with your road activity? Everyone's busy with their respective teams preparing for the race...
We have a well-established formula. I must say that everyone made themselves available and, when they were free from their respective team commitments, they came to the track to work. They know that these sessions also pay off in road activity. and we, for our part, now have consolidated relationships with all the international teams, we meet halfway.
One of the “grand old men” could be VivianiDid you follow him to Bremen?
I was with him and Consonni the last day and I can't hide that it was a thrill for me, breathing in that air that has been a part of my life for years. I found them comfortable, enthusiastic, just like two kids. Regardless of the results, I was satisfied.
Did you also talk to Viviani about Europeans?
Surely, he is very keen to be there, besides, in December he was training hard to be ready for the Tour Down Under because he was still hoping for a call-up. I would love to see him involved in a big team for his final year, his experience would be useful and he could still get great satisfaction, until the World Championship in Santiago in October which will be his farewell.
But you still have it available…
Elijah is a point of reference, an example. I know very well that as soon as he decides to hang up his bike, the offers will rain down. Because someone like him, with his experience, with everything he's learned from years of living abroad, is an asset. He's a meticulous programmer who has had great mentors like brailsford e LefevereI know he will make the right decisions.
This year will be about giving the kids experience. How will you base your choice?
The problem is the calendar, since For now, the UCI has only organised one Nations Cup event and I was hoping to take advantage of this to get as many people as possible racing, both old and new. Elisa Balsam For example, she had said she was available to do a test after the Amstel, but the Asian stage was canceled. With such a limited calendar, we'll have to find opportunities in the program, 1.1 races to give the boys and girls the right experience in view of the World Championships and what follows. However, this also means that The European Championships and the Nations Cup in Türkiye take on particular importanceI'll choose based on availability, based on the riders who frequent our headquarters and with whom we've worked. That's the only criterion.
You have fewer problems with women, given their age, but are there any alternatives?
On the one hand it's true, after Tokyo we found a very young group that is growing year after year and I'm convinced that without the many misfortunes of 2024 even in Paris in the quartet we would have had great satisfactions and the gold of agree e Guazzini in the madison It proves it. But I also look behind.
For example?
For example there is the Venturelli He's already an important addition, and I know he's as valuable for us on the track as he is on the road, given his versatile talent. But there's more. For example, I already brought the Baima to compete in Grenchen where in a high level gathering and above all in the top category he achieved a third place in the scratch and won the omnium elimination. Results that you only get if you have great skills. With her we also have the Sgaravato who is working with the elite and is rapidly burning the stages.
It's also true, however, that in a phase of open transition like this, there's a risk of going into the European Championships with far less than in the recent past. Aren't you worried that criticism might immediately arise?
I'm used to it, I know well that We will struggle more at this stage, precisely because this, but also next year, will be useful for gaining experience, for building brick by brick. But there are always those who focus on the immediate outcome. I'm confident, however, and I think we'll always be at the highest level. The important thing is to stay in tune with the various teams to get the guys working. This is the seeding period, and I have to focus on that.
