Choices for a changing world. This phrase borrowed from the scout world continues to resonate in my head when I see... changes that are affecting cycling, in the name of which perhaps it is time to review some ideas.
Our roots
We said goodbye Gimondi, Baldini e adorni, losing precious references of our historyThey have taken us by the hand thousands of times, passing on the magic of a sport that before them had been told by Coppi and Bartali, in a sort of relay race between legends. The subsequent generations were formed on their experience, from which Sports directors who run the youth cycling teams have been born.
For years their compass was experience, codified over the years and by word of mouthEating little to stay thin, working long hours, and all the rest of the routine. And while we continued like this, reaping success for years, abroad, technicians were being trained who, not having so many champions behind them, at a certain point they began to wonder if those experiences could be improved with the contribution of science.
The skepticism of those who do not understand
Initially they were looked at with the skepticism of those who do not understand. We remember the jokes between riders towards those of Team Sky and their way of eating, to which they have now all adapted. In fact, at a certain point the race to make up for lost time began. Unfortunately, however, as in all chases, they spent their best efforts to catch up with those in front, who in the meantime have had time to eat, recover and relaunch.
We rarely listened to Alfredo Martini's words: "Young riders riders," he said, "want to know what will happen, not what happened in our day!"
The rider's profession
The rider's job has changed radically and clinging to the patterns of the past to bring it back is a rearguard battle, animated by an understandable but impractical logic.
«When there are generational changes – he said yesterday Maurizio Mazzoleni – you always make comparisons with your own generation. But in reality each generation has its own prerogatives.».
Remove the radios and power meters in competition (among professionals) are the most insistently requested countermeasures: I don't deny that I did it too, just because for years we have been faced with the flattening of athletes, born in the old world and incapable of emancipating themselves in the face of technological innovations.
What made me change my mind? Observing the changing world. The interview with Prudhomme published yesterday confirmed that things are changing, at least in professional sports.
“The race is made by the riders,” the Tour chief told Alberto Dolfin, “so it’s not true that everything depends on the route. This generation of phenomena, for example, uses the path better than the previous one. and this amuses the younger ones."
The passion remains
Let's go back to the interview with Mazzoleni. The work of the riders has changed, but it continues to be based on the same passion that animated Gimondi, Baldini and AdorniThe difference is that in addition to having to ride a bike, The rider requires concentration and skill. On the other hand, having been born and raised in the modern context, will use technologies to give the best and not to feel limited by themDo you think that Evenepoel, Pogacar, Van der Poel, Ayuso, Van Aert and Vingegaard have a way of racing that is limited by the tools they have at their disposal?
If this still happens in our house, maybe it's because Those who lead the boys – especially the students and juniors – come from that past and have not been able to change their attitude.
«Everything has been modernised – Giovanni Visconti said some time ago – but the real change will happen when there is the same turnover among the coaches of the youth categories, where there are still elderly people who should be thanked for their commitment, but who are unable to keep up with the times."
Some have understood the need to update themselves and opened the door to more qualified contributions, as it was said when speaking of Adriano Malori and his collaboration with Primo Borghi, his one-time mentor, but the problem remains, as confirmed Diego Bragato during the national team's training camp in Noto.
«The sports directors who come out of the Technical School – he said – they are former athletes with a degree in Sports ScienceWhen they leave the courses they are very well prepared, then they arrive in companies and find old managers who do not break away from the old patterns».
Curiosity and study
Knowing how to make choices for a changing world, for example, means being capable of to watch with curiosity and without blinkers the arrival of riders from all over the world Zwift Academy. We should be grateful to any system that allows talent to be valorized: after all, the street will always have the final say!
If you close the door and hide behind sceptical and sarcastic comments, as was done in the past with Team Sky's nutrition, they simply highlight their own insecurity and the implicit admission of not being up to the new course. For two athletes coming out of a virtual academy, How many have we stopped in the name of old rules and poorly followed steps?
Let's not do as in Rome, where It is not possible to build new roads to defend the stone and earthenware remains of the EmpireLet's look ahead and make those who are here feel good. We strictly monitor that the spirit of cycling is not betrayed.And let's remember those who were there, without giving up on growing.
