For Luca Giaimi Marco's first season among the "big boys" has so far been spent mainly on the track. Villa he made it a precious piece of the quartet group, already thinking about the future, about the after Paris when we will also have to understand who among the senators will still be part of the Olympic project. In Hong Kong, in the second round of the Nations Cup, the results were not up to expectations, Villa admitted it without mincing words as he usually does. And Giaimi himself, who already he had also tasted the national team at the European Championships running the individual test, he does not hide the fact that he was disappointed by the result.
It was my first competitive experience in the team pursuit for the senior national team, and it's definitely very different from what I've experienced up until last year, with the juniors. I joined a group with different teammates, some already close-knit and others more or less new. Let's just say that in the end we hadn't yet established a common ground. that feeling, those automatisms necessary to be able to bring out the best and it was seen in the race».
What have you found to be different from your past experiences, considering that the junior quartet you lead is a world record holder?
Much because there was an amalgam there that had cemented over time. The distance is the same, but we also ran in 3'53", in Hong Kong we did 3'56" And this shows how the problems were linked precisely to the still partial connection between us. In team pursuit, it's very much tied to automatisms: we managed to hold on until the last kilometre, then both in qualifying and in the first round we fell apartI have to say that by dint of trying I was already seeing improvements and I believe that as the weeks go by we will get better and better and climb the rankings.
Villa makes getting used to the gesture his mantra. Was that the case for you as juniors?
Certainly, we worked very hard from December to August, we had reached the point that We went onto the track with great tranquility knowing that we only had to repeat what we did in trainingIt was almost a formality. But these are mechanisms that are acquired over time. That's why I'm optimistic.
The city has emphasized after Hong Kong how he wants to see from you improvements from a technical point of view. What does it refer to?
Villa is right, I too have noticed that there are things I need to improve, for example my position during the single file to better cover the others and take less air or my way of moving from the line at the time of the changeThese are small things that can save a lot of time and improve performance, but they are automatic skills that can only be acquired by working together.
How did you find Hong Kong?
I had experience from the Junior World Championships in Cali last year where there was great support. In Asia we did find a lot of people, but in a much more aseptic climate, without too much pressure even when the home specialists competed in the speed events. With the Italian team it was a great experience, we bonded a lot.
You had already gotten closer to the group this winter with the training camp in Noto...
Yes, we had met there, it had been important from this point of view too. Even with Ganna e Milan. In fact, Jonathan and I were in the room together and we had bonded a lot, he also gave me important advice about the quartet, was a point of reference.
With the guys from the devo team uae but you haven't had the chance to run yet...
No, the only three races I've done so far have been with the senior team, in Spain and Belgium. I'll have the chance now with the U23 Italian classics: Belvedere, Recioto and Piva will be important beyond the result, precisely to deepen the knowledge and unity between us guys.We did the retreat together in December where I found a friend in Guatibonza, then I met Staes again, whom I had met in the time trials as a junior.
Of the three races, which one best suits your characteristics?
I think Belvedere, it's more accessible and I'd like to do well especially there also because it's the first, to see how I'm doing at this pointFor me, April is a very important month, especially for the Italian races but also to start putting some building blocks in my season which will have other key months in June with the Giro Next Gen and the tricolors and in September when I hope to be called up for the World Cup.
The third stage of the Nations Cup track race will also take place in Milton in April…
Yes, it's an important month for this too. I am convinced that we can do better than in Hong Kong, that the progress I mentioned before will be seen.I think a top five finish is within our reach. Then there's the Gent-Wevelgem category race at the end of the month, which intrigues me a lot.
Have you set any particular goals for yourself?
I don't want to talk about results. If I really have to say, I would like to see progress in my working mechanisms with my comrades.I believe deeply in the track, and the team itself encourages my dual career, which I'll continue to pursue for a long time. I want to prove myself reliable, and for Villa to see my technical progress. I care a lot about that...
