Il Tour of Italy is upon us and will soon capture all the attention. However, we want to dwell a little longer on the Tour of the AlpsThe cross-border race impressed us with its growth and excellent organization. We wondered how far it could go.
With an event like this, the sirens of the WorldTour could sound at any moment. We took stock with Maurizio Evangelista, general manager of the race.
Maurizio, a truly successful race…
It's a challenging project and We make it more and more challenging because we are constantly trying to improve. But it's worth it, because it's a beautiful race in a beautiful area, with organizations that are committed and believe in it. So they deserve the best possible outcome.
Your Garibaldi was truly well-curated: interesting content, even outside of the race. We were struck by the message of peace, especially in this historical moment, and the collaboration between different nations and ethnic minorities...
Two states can mean a few more minor bureaucratic hassles. A united Europe, in some respects, is still imperfectly united.
Like the police motorcycles stopped at the border and the Austrian ones ready…
There are three realities, Trentino, South Tyrol e Tyrol (this year in the area ofEast Tyrol, ed.) very different from each other. Also because their familiarity with cycling is very different. The first has a solid tradition, the other two much less so. However, I must say that one of the best benefits we have had from this point of view has been the enthusiasm that surrounds the Tour of the Alps precisely from these areas.
Today, it seems like if you're not in the World Tour, you can't do great cycling. You've proven that's not true. However, is there any idea of becoming a WorldTour race in the future?
Before the final stage, I spoke to the jury president. He recognized our great merits. So I told him that no later than three weeks ago, The UCI had sent us a form to complete regarding events that wanted to apply for the WorldTour.
So is it a goal?
It could be a goal. However, proposing to an organization to apply for the WorldTour without knowing in advance what this entails isn't the right path. And I'm not talking about the financial aspects. In that case, everything is always very clear. What isn't clear is: If I apply for the WorldTour and you, an international organization, accept my application, where do I end up on the calendar?
Legitimate objection…
That's the point. We have a place where our race feels right; it has its own identity. Because let's not forget that we're already between two WorldTour races, and in between there's another, the Flèche Wallonne. If this is the pattern and we were to enter the World Tour, it would be a problem for us. It's senseless to make a possible WorldTour procedure without knowing this. The real problem is the calendar. A race like the Tour of the Alps It's an important race, because it has managed to earn a certain type of consideration.
A WorldTour in disguise, especially given this year's lineup…
It's clear that this is a WorldTour race in disguise. And I'll add, without fear of contradiction: it's better than many WorldTour races. It's not just a question of status, it's a question of cost-benefit. What is our fundamental heritage? Tradition, a position on a calendar that isn't 100% perfect but still good, credibility, quality, and acceptance by riders and teams.
That?
Also look at what the riders write on social media. What they say in interviews. They're spontaneous compliments. This means we have a format that works.
Is there anything you could improve on or wish had gone differently?
This edition went very well. I would have liked to have had even more samples at the start. But the postponement of the Roubaix had an impact. One might say, "What does the Roubaix have to do with us?" But it certainly has. The team staff responsible for the entire first block of classics extended their commitment by a week, and this complicated their organization. All this with the Giro d'Italia requiring double transport because there's no time to get them from Hungary to Sicily. The teams are therefore under pressure, and all this entanglement hasn't helped us.
One very positive thing in our opinion was the routes. They were designed for spectacle. Ironically, the stage that seemed like it would be the most exciting, the one with the tough Furcia climb, turned out to be the most banal...
Let's say yes, but let's also say that the Furcia stage would have been an even more lively one if there had been 2 or 3 teams leading the race and not just one (the Bahrain Victorious, (Editor's note). Fortunately, we're experiencing a season of great and emerging champions who are fully aligned with the organizers' idea of attacking from afar, of putting on a show. I dare say that we, perhaps, got there a little earlier than others, sensing that if the riders aren't fully achieving what an organizer wants—a lively race—it's because the technical choices may not be ideal.
Are you referring to the shorter routes, in particular?
We're confident that shortening the routes is the right choice. This is especially true because we run on weekdays, and you can't afford an excessively long run: too much discomfort. 140, 150, or 120 kilometers are options riders appreciate. They enjoy it, they go full throttle, and they don't experience too much stress before and after the race. You may have also noticed that we try to keep the start and finish in the same place, reducing transfers. Arensmann Before the start in Lienz, he arrived at the start with an extraordinary smile, despite the rain. And in the posts, the DSM he said this is their favorite race. Matteo Tosatto he told me that in Ineos-Grenadiers When they make the program at the beginning of the season, there's a rush to come here, because the riders and the staff like it.
In fact, a good atmosphere was perceived…
We strive to convey this atmosphere through a staff that has evolved over the years, becoming younger and featuring a stronger female presence. In the evenings at the hotels, I notice the pleasure all these people have in being here. And it is a mixed organization, which makes use of professionals and volunteers. And the volunteers aren't here to "lend a hand." No, everyone has their role. They say I'm a demanding person, and that's probably true. But beyond being demanding, always striving for the best, there's the fact that you need people to distribute across various tasks, and you can't assign them "just for the sake of it." Cycling is a difficult sport organizationally and requires specific skills.
In light of all this, think about other similar projects besides the Tour of the Alps?
I don't know. With a different staff that included some of the people I trust, last year we did the European Championship in Trento and it was a wonderful experience. But the organizing body wasn't the same. In Italy there's a very important organizer who is Rcs SportsI believe there is a need for other equally qualified players, obviously not of the same size. Organizers who, however, produce quality. Sometimes I see races that are "dragged," that is, bravely run with the resources available. And I'm not sure this serves the objective, because these days, a venue that hosts you, a company that finances you, demands quality.
Not just technical quality, but general quality?
Cycling should be an event, not a race for its own sake. The race is an element of the event. Thinking that once the race is over, everything is solved doesn't fit my way of thinking.
We were intrigued by the presence of two teams: Kern Pharma and Uno-X. Perhaps the Norwegians are also interested in tourism, given their love for our mountains. But what about the Spanish?
The first choice is clearly rational. Since late summer we have been asking teams to declare their interest in the Tour of the Alps. Then we evaluate which ones to involve. The Norwegian team already came last year and enjoys a certain respect. This year she wasn't brilliant, but she had her sick ones and then she was also invited to the Northern classics.
What about Kern Pharma?
It's a smaller team, but it's worth following. Also, if you don't see them, you don't know what stage they're at. Then you also check their performance. And based on that, you decide whether to invite them the following year. They're also tests, if you like...
Almost no continental: why?
There's a strong barrier to entry compared to the continentals. There's no barrier, but we can't afford that level of presence. Frankly, I wouldn't find it that interesting for running. And we had the space for them to come since we started with 18 teams.
Are you saying the gap is too big?
There's already a pretty big gap between the WorldTour and the Professional ranks, let alone between the WorldTour and the Continental ranks. It means bringing along a presence that creates problems: they're unable to compete, they prolong the race. And in my opinion, it doesn't help them either because they look bad. It's not a question of giving smaller teams opportunities, but I simply don't see the mix I see in some races, where it's unclear whether they're professionals or under-23s. If anything, young players from development teams who are included in the senior team are welcome.
