Winter is the time for changing sides, for new adventures, it's all true. Likewise, this period is also the period of confirmations, of contract extensions. It's also time to talk about a rider who has decided to continue wearing the jersey of the team that launched him. The uniform is that of Bardiani CSF Faizanè, and the rider in question is Alessandro Tonelli.
«I had a few offers from a few teams but they were all professional – says Tonelli – one of these was Eolo. It was a somewhat troubled renewal, but we managed to reach an agreement with Bardiani in September.In the end, to stay at the same level, I preferred to stay here, I know the environment and I've always been wellThey know how I go and what I'm used to doing, this is how my ninth year begins and it's nice to give continuity."
The call that never came
Let's not deny that a call from a WorldTour team is one of the dreams of anyone new to cycling. It's not easy to get one, and Once you reach a certain age, you close the drawer with the dream inside and look more at reality.
«My relationship with Bruno and Roberto (Reverberi, ed.) has always been very transparent – he continues – and this helps create a strong bond. This year is the first time I've renewed for two seasons, previously I've always signed year-to-year contracts.It wasn't a lack of confidence, quite the opposite. Given the good relationship I have with Roberto and Bruno, we always preferred to do it this way because if the call from a WorldTour team had come, I could have jumped at it. Moving into a team like that now would be difficult, the balance is different, they have a captain and the team works for him. While in the professional teams you rely on those 3-4 riders who can play their chances."
The new role
Looking at Bardiani's squad for the 2023 season we notice that Alessandro Tonelli will be the "oldest" despite having just turned 30A fact that makes us think of two things: the advancement of young people and theshortening of careers.
«I won't deny that I've thought about this, and I've wondered how much longer this can go on. From now on I will be a "responsible" for the team on the runIf you look at cycling today, you might already consider me old. The average age has dropped, and this enhances experience. I will have this function as a teacherA role that was born in part this year thanks to the youth project, they took me as one of the points of reference in the team, also given my almost ten-year experience in the Bardiani jersey."
Young riders people
So one wonders what the master's eye sees when in contact with the young talents.
«Tolio when he was a protagonist in Slovenia he relied on my advice and that of the older guys to stay ahead in the toughest stage. Another example is the same escape he always made at Lombardia: we had to get into the right action and Gabburo pushed him to follow what turned out to be the good group. Having an expert eye like mine is important in the race because I notice where they waste and I try to tell them what to do and where to improve.They'll still make mistakes, but it's part of learning; they have a lot of grit and desire to succeed. If I had to find a difference compared to when I turned pro, I'd say it's the adjustment period. These youngsters already seem ready for the distances and training loads, unlike them, I needed a season of running-in."
Hunting for points
Speaking with Tonelli, an interesting topic emerged: the UCI ranking for professional teams. Starting in 2024, some rules will change, and that's why... new ones have been born in this time.
«If you fail to enter the top 30 professionals in the world at the end of 2023, you will not be able to obtain wild cards and be invited to the 2024 WorldTour events.Ours is a points ranking that is updated every year, but the points assigned are the same as those that characterized the three-year WorldTour. Until this year, there is no ranking that determines access to invitations, so even a newly born professional like the Q36.5 can participate in races such as the GiroThis ranking doesn't distinguish between professional and continental. If a team like Colpack, for example, were to enter the top 30, it could change its position and become professional, displacing teams like ours."
In light of this, it's immediately clear how every race will become crucial starting next year. Highly experienced and high-quality riders like Tonelli are rare and must be kept close at hand.
«In 2022 I ran for 82 daysIn fact, I needed this vacation (laughs, ed.). Recently, I was tagged on social media in a ranking of the top 20 riders who had been in the breakaway the most. I'm eleventh and first among the Italians, with 1214 kilometers. This is a nice feature for a professional, who always has to try to get into the gaps and who will also have to start thinking about the points. The Tour of Italy and Sanremo were the peak of the season, at the first I entered two breakaways also taking the third place in the nineteenth stage. While in Sanremo they only caught me 8 kilometers from the finish».
