Without a moment's rest since the eve of the Giro, passing through the Route d'Occitanie, the Italian championships, Sardinia, the Olympics and San Sebastian, Giulio Ciccone packed another suitcase and left today for the Tour of Spain where he will be leader of the Trek-Segafredo. For the first time in his career. It's strange to talk about the vigils, because they give you a measure of the involvement in the project.
«Every time I leave with the team – he says – I'm always happy. I'm having fun, it's my group. When we left for Tokyo, there was more anxiety and tension. Another group.. In terms of emotions, the Olympics were the race I felt the most. Perhaps on a par with the start of the first Tour de France from Belgium."
At the start of the Olympics on the Trek… the same for everyone A little further on, on the spare bike that had the team colors
At the start of the Olympics on the Trek… the same for everyone A little further on, on the spare bike that had the team colors
Brambilla says that having the team's trust will be an added bonus.
I've been a steady couple with Brambilla since the very beginning. He prepared the suitcase for me tooBecause mine is empty (laughs, ed.). Anyway, he's really good and it's true that it's the first time I've started as a leader, but I'll treat it like I do with other experiences. Team management will always be the same. Leader or no leader, there's no need to put any extra weight on your shoulders..
Brambilla still says it's impossible to hold you down; at most, you can try to guide you. He mentioned the Giro…
The last Giro is the one that taught me the most. The first time I found myself in the rankings, where I made some mistakes and then went homeFrom everything to nothing in one fell swoop. But it's also true that I made many attacks because it wasn't up to me to make the rankingsI had carte blanche.
So it will be different at the Vuelta?
I would say yes, but we'll have to understand the situation. It's hard to stay covered at the Vuelta, because of the route and the way they race.On the third day there will already be an uphill finish, which is why I like the Vuelta. The stages are not very long, so it will be an explosive race..
Have you studied the route?
Not in detail, but I will. What I did was discuss with my trainer the type of effort we will make, adapting the preparation. I've never done the Vuelta, I don't know the roads, but it's still good to know what you're getting into. And certainly I'm getting there better than at the Giro, where the preparation was somewhat compromised due to the problems on the eve.
One thought at a time, or do you keep an eye on the next Europeans?
One thought at a time, all about the Vuelta. The season was super intense, I never gave up. The Vuelta and then you draw a line.I had already spoken to Cassani and he made it clear to me that I am not part of the plans for the European and World Championships, which have fast paths for my characteristics. Therefore I can safely step aside.
How did you experience Cassani's situation?
They are surprised by everything I've read in the last few days, because there it seemed that everyone was getting along well. We were united in the race and Davide was calm, I never saw any strange behaviorIn the meetings with him and Amadio, there were never any points of friction. Even in Tokyo, there were no problems with the president.
Then the topic of returning to Italy came up.
I knew everyone had their own schedule, but I really didn't know about Davide and when he was supposed to be back. The only time I saw him really down, a couple of hours where he didn't talk to anyone, was after the race.But we were all stubborn. It was a blow for everyone, we really believed it...
Instead, speaking of the future, without Nibali you will be the leader of Trek for the Giro... What do you think?
There are no big market moves in the air, even if Mollema's confirmation is a good thingBut you know me, anything can be done. You make a plan. You agree on the objectives and then you get to work.One thing at a time, please. Now I'm putting everything on the Vuelta.
