To the last European Track Championships for Juniors and Under 23s held in Anadia, Italy took the lion's share with 16 gold medals, double that of Germany and a total of 23 podiums. A sensational domination which gave an important contribution also Ivan Quaranta's speed sector (FCI photo in opening), with 4 titles equally divided between the junior Mattia Predomo and the under 23 Matteo WhiteA result of great value, especially considering the competition from the German and Polish schools, which have been calling the shots for many years, at least in their category.
In his analysis, the new sector technician Ivan Forty, at its first major international laurels, focuses precisely on the aspect of participation.
«The level was high – he says – and the performances achieved in terms of time prove it: Bianchi with 1'00”911 is not far from the elite podium in the standing kilometer, but the English team sprinters also set an absolute best time with 44”168. In the juniors, the six-man 200-meter sprint went under 10”. In short, it was a more than worthy edition».
Let's start not with the victories, but with the bronze in the team sprint because it's something unusual for our movement, moreover the Italian team has found a new element in Matteo Tugnolo, taken from BMX...
It's the result of a collaboration between the two sectors that will take us far, there's a wonderful synergy. With Tommaso Wolves We constantly exchange information. Tugnolo It is ideal for fast disciplines and was able to give the trio that extra something in terms of explosiveness. Matteo is still new to our group but the team sprint, the launch lap are the ideal approach to the new specialty, because he exploits his talents without needing the specific work he's doing for the other events, where he needs more time to emerge. From a standing start, he can show superior speed compared to his teammates, who are more adept at launching.
Will this collaboration see other riders come to the track?
Surely, we already have another one, Frizzarin, a first year gaining experience. But the collaboration is not one-way, in the sense that we also check whether and how it is possible to have these kids do both jobs, then they will choose where to commit themselves more.
Meanwhile, Bianchi won two titles, in the kilometer and the keirin.
He's a rediscovered athlete. He'd already won a bronze medal years ago as a junior, but then he'd lost his way a bit, especially in terms of his mentality and motivation. Finding him at this level is a great result, it's proof that these guys have to believe in it., something important can be done with time. But I would also like to highlight Daniele's effort. Napolitano, silver in the keirin and bronze in the team sprint, another talent to cultivate.
Bianchi was aiming to join the UCI center in Aigle. Could the fact that he can now train in Italy at a well-established facility have restored that motivation you mentioned?
Certainly. There is no need to go far, we have everything to stand out, from the facilities to the study centerThe group is young, and we need to work on that. The only problem is that years and years of hiatus can't be erased with a stroke of a pen; it takes time. Being able to form a group is certainly helpful.
Did Predomo surprise you? Gold in the sprint and keirin, bronze in the team sprint with Milo Marcolli and Stefano Minuta…
I already knew from the trip to Germany in the spring that he could do something great. The top guys are there; he had fought on equal terms with the Germans, and then he improved even further. Of the two races, I was surprised by his victory in the sprint, because I knew he was strong in the keirin, but paradoxically he struggled more there. in the speed which is all technical, where usually the starting of the batteries suffered, he was able to distinguish himself. It means he has also grown mentally and strategically.
Do you plan to participate in the European Championships in Munich?
Yes, we will bring this group of under 23s to compare them with the elite, with the absolute champions, for example the Dutch sacred monsters. It'll be a good test; the results won't matter. Instead, you'll need to look carefully, understand the gears they use, their pedaling frequency. I always tell them that certain gears only become easy to use after years of experience, but seeing them with your own eyes will be important. They will get there, but it will take time.For now they are very competitive with their peers and this is already good.
How are we doing on a female level?
The girls competing in Anadia performed well, finishing not far from the podium considering that Bertolini e Ratti I'm a first-year junior. The problem at the female level is recruitment, we have too few numbers and therefore we start with a greater handicapBut we'll get there too…
