SAINT QUENTIN EN YVELINES (France) – It is not a bronze that is worth gold, but it is a bronze that is worth a lotThe blue pursuit quartet was able to absorb the disappointment of not reaching the final and overtake Denmark, who had arrived at the appointment for third place with a better time achieved the day before. And so credit must be given to reaction capacity demonstrated by Filippo Ganna, Simone Consonni, Jonathan Milan e Francis Lamon, who is the first to speak at the end of the race.
«The evening of the semi-final – he says – Bitterness prevailed over not being in the final for the gold. Even selfishly, I take responsibility for this term. I was very disappointed. But we found the necessary determination to get back on that podium.There are people who work their whole lives for an Olympic podium. We wanted this medal, I'm satisfied. Disappointment now takes a back seat».
Like in Tokyo, Denmark beaten once again with a comeback"One time it's our turn," the Venetian smiles, "one time it's theirs. They've beaten us before, too. It's a wheel that turns. The important thing is to have confirmed that Italy is there».
An Olympic medal
What happened from one day to the next? «We have assimilated the concept that a medal, even if it's bronze, is still an Olympic medalIt would have been immature not to give 100 percent to bring her home. We rolled up our sleeves, We analyzed yesterday's few mistakes and we made itWe deserved it, we deserved it. We had already beaten them, we could do it again."
Once again a comeback victory, but there is no tactics according to Lamon: «In a direct clash there is little tactics. It's all about beating your opponentWe know they start stronger, we looked for the right compromise to have a margin for a comeback in the final and we managed to do it in the best possible way. I am satisfied with my departure and how my teammates recovered in the final."
Ganna bis
Filippo Ganna is also satisfied, one of the few Italian athletes who will return from Paris with two medalsThe others so far are Thomas Ceccon (swimming), Filippo Macchi (fencing), Alice D'Amato, and Manila Esposito (gymnastics). He's a distant second.
"Our journey began in Rio. A last-minute call," she says, "just missed out on the top four." Is this a journey that's coming to an end for this quartet?The beauty of my 28 years and maybe Johnny's 22 is that we are still young.", replies Filippo, who already considered himself a bit "old" after the road time trial. Miracles of an Olympic medal.
«We'll see about the future. Now the important thing is that we once again tried to get the best result, of fighting against everything and everyone. We saw those who stayed close to us, those who always supported us. From Rio, if not before. But I also start from the World Championships in London, when they changed one of our handlebars because it wasn't up to standard and we finished with heart and soul. Year after year we grew with world cups, European championships, world championships, up to the Tokyo OlympicsAnd not many can say they have that medal at home.
"We've had our ups and downs," he continues, "we came here as favorites. But you can't always copy and paste. It's not easy to repeat yourself, it's not easy to confirm yourself. But it is easy to confirm that each of us will always lend a hand to othersAnyone in need knows they'll always find a companion ready to help them. Yesterday was tough. Congratulations to Great Britain and Australia, we've never seen them so strong. But our bronze is worth a lotIt's nice to think that Viviani won gold in Rio, a bronze in TokyoWe repeated the same path, postponed by 4 years."
The choice of the time trial
Two medals in two different disciplines for Filippo. Would it have been better to focus on just one? "It was my decision. I listen to the criticism, I don't necessarily have to agree with it. The goal was to bring home two medalsI did itI was on the bike. The retreats, the fatigue, the days away from home, the sacrifices, I made them and felt them. I thank those who supported me and We hope to give satisfaction to the public, who really loves usWe kept working, we didn't give up when things went badly. You always need to keep your head on your shoulders and face difficulties."
How did you manage the race? "We wanted to start strong to keep them there and do what we did. San Johnny was decisive. He had that extra edge that was needed.. Maybe to Tokyo It was me, today it was him. We managed ourselves as best we could and brought home a medal that repays all the sacrifices we've made over the years."
Ganna is also registered at Madison, "but I hope Consonni and Viviani are well." Finally, the dedication: "To those who are always there, even when things go wrongThanks to them, you keep your head on your shoulders and bring home great results."
Saint Johnny speaks
He had made another dedication to “San Johnny”, that is Jonathan Milan. His was the best individual performance. "But that's too much," he replies. "This is a team achievement. We've all given 100 percent these days. The result must be divided into four and therefore there are at least four saintsWe helped each other, we brought home a result that is worth a lot, against such fierce opponents.
«Australia's result speaks for itself. We did our best, we told ourselves that Denmark was beatable.. In recent days, it had dropped towards the end, I thought they'd adjust their aim. But in fact they were ahead, I think, until 2.500. We have been very consistent, this has been our strength.We had the strength to resist until the end."
The future has already begun
The future is his. And who else's? "I think many young people will arrive. We will try to do our best to be competitive in as many disciplines as possible.There are promising young players, we need to give them space and peace to grow. And above all, confidence. Now let's enjoy this third place and then we'll see. Los Angeles? We'll see, perhaps hoping for an easier road route, then we'll think about it."
And the immediate future? «I would like to get to the top of the list Europeans on the road. First I will do the Tour of Germany, Hamburg and then the European Championships. I have some time to prepare them."
His dedication is for the family: «Here I had my parents, my girlfriend, my brother He couldn't be there due to training and competitions, but I know very well that he was following me from home. I was very happy that they were there too."And we are happy not for the gold, but for a bronze that is worth so much.
