The “Brama” is restless. On the one hand with the riders he is the usual good friend, capable of transmitting grit to them even just for a coffee, on the other hand, he keeps a watchful eye on what is happening around him. Extreme attention to everything related to hygiene and attention to Covid protocols keeps him wide awake. When you see that because of the cancellation of the Vuelta San Juan the Colombian heights of the riders who would have started from Argentina are going uphill, you understand that It takes nothing to compromise weeks of workThis is why the teams are closing in on themselves. This is why Bramati is so cautious. All around, la Quick Step-Alpha Vinyl which is approaching its debut with good feelings, strong in its many men capable of winning.
«Someone has left – confirms Bramati – but We are still strong on all fronts. The hard core remains, only missing Almeida. Italians have grown and we hope they will grow further. And then with Jakobsen, Alaphilippe ed evenepoel we can do some really great things."
Remco seems to have regained the verve he had before the accident…
It's incredible what he can do. I don't even want to talk about the victories, but have you seen what he did at the World Championships? Right or wrong, Belgium did the tactics. But seeing a twenty-year-old boy carrying the group on his shoulders for 180 kilometers It was an incredible show of strength.
And this confirms its exceptionality…
Like him, there is him… We had seen its potential, but we know that it is a rare commodity. With the Adispro, the association of sports directors in Italy, this aspect was discussed. Doing more activity among the U23s is not bad, but Remco was strong right away.
Alaphilippe is much more aware than in 2021 (photo by Wout Beel) A Specialized bike celebrating its second world championship victory is ready for the world champion (photo by Wout Beel) On the horizontal, as epigraphs, the victories of Imola and Leuven (photo Wout Beel)
Alaphilippe is much more aware than in 2021 (photo by Wout Beel) A celebratory Specialized bike is ready for the world champion (photo by Wout Beel) On the horizontal, the victories of Imola and Leuven (photo Wout Beel)
Speaking of the World Cup, Alaphilippe also seems well aware of what awaits him.
The second rainbow jersey will weigh less. It wasn't easy to carry her around last year, but there's no denying she was always a protagonist.The shirt was seen, it was honored and for this year he wants to aim well in the Ardennes. Liège is the Monument test that best suits him, who knows, maybe this time it won't be the right one.
Will it be easy to manage the dualism between Jakobsen and Cavendish?
Fabio and Mark they get along and that's already a good thingCav has shown that he is not an athlete to retire, with four stages and the green jersey at the Tour. Jakobsen, on the other hand, is back and capable of winning major races. I believe that There's no need to assign roles now, it's better to start and see how the season goes.
Is it completely out of the question for them to run together?
I don't know what it would be good for, especially Tour. This year is very different than usualThere's a time trial and then a sprint, but with that long bridge, it could split the peloton. The cobblestones are already on the fifth stage, and then there'll be talk of a true sprint again on stage 18. Before a drawing like this and having to start with 8 riders, it is normal that choices have to be made.
Can Italians grow?
They showed a lot. Masnada he hit the mark in the season finale. Dancers he made a great start, then helped and finished on a high. Bagioli he returned from injury and had a great Vuelta. Cattaneo It can still improve. I say this quietly otherwise they'll accuse me of being a fan, but I think they will all make a great leap in quality.
