La Bardiani CFS It was one of the most active teams on the market. Bruno and Roberto Reverberi, They've almost revolutionized this team. Lots of new signings and two key signings: Giovanni Visconti ed Enrico Battaglin.
One of the sporting directors of this team, perhaps the most Italian of all, Mirko Rossato It opens doors for us and makes us understand how they work Looking ahead to next season, the coach is excited and motivated. And his expectations are more than justified.
Three groups
Also by virtue of the situation imposed by covid, the team was divided into working groups, since the staff is also numerous.
"Today's cycling requires us to have 20 riders, we have 22," Rossato explains, "but we're not sure about the races. Therefore, once the first invitations were established, we drew up an initial program. We divided the kids into three groups. One will go to the Tour of Tachira, one who will go to San Juan and a third who will do a retreat in Spain, from January 20th to February 3rd.
The training camp will be in Benidorm, Spain, and will conclude with a new race, the former Puig GP. This group will include: Battaglin, Visconti, Gaburro, Garosio, Marengo, Zana, Mazzucco, Tonelli, Fiorelli and the very young TraininiWe already have a work program and it will be old-fashioned. We'll simulate races, we'll try to set up a "train" for "Battaglia", we'll double-line... It's important to get back to doing these things, because last year everyone had their own schedule and everyone did their own work. The result: we didn't really know how the boys were doing, and there was no teamwork. This year too, the boys have their own coaches, with whom we're in contact, but during the training camp, we decide. There are no specifics there, just teamwork."
Experience and youth
«The boys were also divided based on their knowledge of the other sports directors. Roberto and I will be in Spain, Luca Amoriello and Alessandro Donati will be in South America, It's only right that they know the guys, too. The "Spanish group" is the most experienced, but there are good riders in the other two as well. Rivera, Zaccanti e Zanoncello For example, they'll be at Tachira. Rivera lives not far from there, and since Zanoncello has short stops, it might be a good place to start.
«An expert like Masters will be in Argentina. As well as Carboni e Covili: for the two of them we thought of changing the usual plans a bit, trying new experiences. Covili, then, at Line of Business he immediately finished outside the time limit and hasn't run for a long time."
Competitive team
With so many new riders, renewed energy, and a climber (Rivera) who promises big results, it's reasonable to dream of participating in the Giro. The average level is certainly high.
«True, we have a competitive team that allows us to do both jobs at a high level. We have seen that competing in the WorldTour is complicated and now even the people, the organizers, RCS no longer want only "those who go in the breakaway". Yes, the youth aspect is good, but it's not enough. You also want to get some results, so the mix of young players and experienced players could be a good solution. Visconti, Battaglin, Gaburro, Garosio... they're useful for the Mazzucco side of things and to bring home something."
The two leaders
Battaglin is returning from the WT. Visconti… needs no introduction. Both are the beacons of Bardiani CSF.
«You can already see that Visconti is a leader, for the way he presents himself, for the way he speaks... Despite his age he wants to win. Battaglin… is strong! I know him too well since the days of OintmentWith him we won stages at the Giro in Bardiani. Last year he was really strong, and this was confirmed to me by Bahrain McLaren, but there he had to pull for others. Here he'll be a hit. He's there in the finish lines of groups of 20 to 50 riders, and he can win that kind of sprint.".
In the end, “Visco” and “Battaglia” are similar: will they step on each other’s toes?
«But nooo… it would be a shame if in a team like ours we stepped on each other's toes. We're not talking about Froome and Bernal, There's space and pace for everyone. Enrico is faster, Giovanni is more of an attacker.
Sprinters Chapter
Rossato has often worked with sprinters: who will be the fast wheels of Bardiani?
«Zanoncello and Leonardi are our sprinters. I don't know the former very well. I know he was very strong as an amateur; we'll try to get him to run easier races. And the same goes for Leonardi, even if he's less of a pure sprinter; he's not one of those who drop out on overpasses.
«Then there is Trainini, 18 years old. We're bringing him to Spain with the experts for a reason. We don't ask him anything. The goal is to have him compete in easier races, perhaps around the world. I'm thinking of Taiwan in this situation. By the end of the year, when he has completed his 35-40 days of running, it's fine. He's physically in good shape. A new Almeida? No, few are born like Joao. Thomas is a faster rider. Almeida was fast on the pace, in time trials, and on climbs."
