There is a rider who is spending these months on the rings of European tracks (opening in Brno) to collect as many points as possible and strengthen his leadership in the UCI ranking. Matteo Donegà's winter is intense, perhaps even too much, if you consider that even in spring and summer, in addition to the road there was always the track as well.
Currently the athlete of the Cycling Team Friuli (also reconfirmed for 2022) is engaged in the Four days in Geneva (from 25th to 29th November) in pair with Paolo Simon, with whom he has already shared many track races in 2021. Points race, omnium, Madison, elimination, and scratch. This is his menu in the Swiss velodrome. The prestigious Six Days of Rotterdam has been cancelled due to Covid restrictions imposed by the Dutch government. in which Donegà was supposed to participate in tandem with the Swiss Nico Selenati.
At the top of the ranking
The 23 year old from Ferrara, Bondeno – who boasts three European silver medals in the elite, under 23 and junior points races - has been leading the international rankings with approximately 1.200 total points, one of the best Italian results among all the tests and specialtiesIn short, he is basically collecting points in class 1 and 2 races both for himself and for the national team with a view to qualifying for the European Championships, World Championships and Olympics.
Something to review
Roberto Bressan and Renzo Boscolo, respectively president and sport director of the CTF, are happy with the activity of their rider, but at the same time irritated because by doing so he arrived out of shape at the European Championships in Grenchen (12th place in the points race) and the World Championships in Roubaix (not called up). For them, something should be reviewed, in the planning and in the considerations.
But why is Donegà doing all this? There is also another reason and We had him explain it to us better just as he was facing the first hours of the journey to Geneva.
Matteo, let me tell you a little. Luckily, you don't have the Champions League track, so you can rest.
Eh, I would have let it stay (laughs, ed.), I would have liked to do it. I applied because I have the necessary requirements to participate, but I don't know how they choseI think they did it based on four specialties (keirin, sprint, elimination, and scratch, ed.), two of which I don't know and the other two in which I have few points.
You've been racing a lot on the track this year, but you haven't been at your best in the big events. Why?
To make sure you hit all these points, we decided to compete a lot, especially in the second half of the seasonThe goals were European and World Championships, and I wanted to get there in good shape. Instead, it turned out to be counterproductive. I arrived more tired than usual, I couldn't give my best at the European Championships where I wanted to repeat or improve last year's silver in Bulgaria. As a result, I didn't earn a call-up to Roubaix.
He ran the Adriatica Ionica Race wearing the CT Friuli jersey, which has supported him for years In action at the Popolarissima at 19 years old, when he raced with Fabbro and Aleotti
He ran the Adriatica Ionica Race wearing the CT Friuli jersey, which has supported him for years In action at the Popolarissima at 19 years old, when he raced with Fabbro and Aleotti
Upcoming commitments?
I should be back in Switzerland on December 17th and 18th for more Class 1 races that give ranking points. Then I'll ask coach Villa what plans he has in mind.
Amid all these competitions, are you thinking about the 2024 Paris Games?
Of course, that's my lifelong dream. Now I have the opportunity to join the military. I am in negotiations with the Flames Gold, I'm waiting for them to open the contestI'll have an answer by winter.
Since certain requirements are needed, are you working hard towards this goal too?
That's right, I'm doing everything I can to enter the contest. They take into account medals in international competitions, even the same ranking points. So that's the reason. Not to mention that The national team also benefits from my activity, because I can help it qualify for the next Olympics.
Are you basically being a track domestique?
Yes, if you'll excuse the term, in these races I'm doing a bit of dirty workBecause even if I score the points, someone else can race. The important thing is that the nation qualifies.
You've been in the national team for a while now. How are you coping with all this?
It all depends on whether I join the military or not. I hope my sacrifices are rewarded. And if things go badly, I'll think about what to do because I'm now a second year elite and it's difficult to find a team anymore. The CTF He reconfirmed me and I thank them, but they rightly have a different policy, more focused on young people.
What will you do in 2022?
I will have the same principle that I have had for the last three years. Running on the road helping the team and to best prepare for track events.
From a young age, you showed great potential on the road. Why did you choose the track?
I was already doing it in the youth categories and I did well. Then I was lucky enough to race in the CTF together with Fabbro and Aleotti and I saw the difference between them and me.I understood that I had a better future on the track than on the road. Lamon, Scartezzini and Bertazzo are a shining exampleAnd I think the track could generate significant economic gains. I would like to enter the Six Days circuit, it's one of my goals.
