It can be said quite calmly that For Davide Villella, next season with Cofidis will be a turning pointIt may be too early to talk about a last resort, but somehow this must be his spirit. The Bergamo native knows it. And despite the years he's let go and some fans who shower him with insults on social media just for the sake of hurting, he seems ready to take up the challenge and the opportunity. The finale with the Movistar It was a mix of almost realized opportunities and great team work, which perhaps goes unnoticed but It is one of the tasks of those who have chosen cycling as a profession.
«During the last stage of the Giro di Sicilia – he says – Rojas came to tell me that Valverde had cramps and so they would all ride for me. At the moment I was shocked, but I thought it was a great opportunity.. Instead, at the intermediate sprint with the time bonuses, Alejandro was really lively, and when we reached the attack on the last climb, he was two places behind me, and I started working for him again. Nibali arrived alone, with all of us in the group behind him."
A great result was expected from him. A good career among the U23s, third place at the Giro dell'Emilia while still a trainee in 2013 and fifth at the Lombardia in 2016 they gave hope that, once preparation and motivation had converged, the result would not be long in coming.
Instead?
Instead a bit of bad luck, I definitely put a little bit of my own into it and things went like thisBut I'm still here, I'll still race in a WorldTour and I'll have my space. I know it's an important opportunity and also, as Damiani says, that winning is difficult, but it is also difficult to come in secondAll I'll ask is for you to run consistently.
Wasn't that the case at Movistar?
Not exactly. I'd like to have consistency in my fitness and races. Some people are fine with a run once a month, but I need to run.Of course, I can't take people's expectations into account, but I've always been a 100% rider. When I finished fifth at the Lombardia and then won the Japan Cup, it seemed like everything was going well. Instead, at the beginning of the following year, I found myself still pushing.
In 2016 he came fifth at the Lombardia won by Chaves, immediately after he went on to win the Japan Cup In Japan he reaches the finish line alone in Utsunomiya: the season finale is his home
In 2016 he came fifth at the Lombardia won by Chaves, immediately after he went on to win the Japan Cup In Japan he reaches the finish line alone in Utsunomiya: the season finale is his home
This year, we saw some flashes of brilliance at the end of the season...
After the Giro, especially in the races where Sciandri was in the team carCataldo and I were given some space. We knew they wouldn't care, and it was a way to show off a bit.
It's unlikely to work if you haven't tried for years...
By dint of helping others, go racing with a different mindsetYou know you have to hold on until a certain point and then that's it. I've lost my edge, but I think I can find it again.In the end, the determination is there. When I no longer feel like struggling on the bike, as I know myself and as you know me, I'll quickly put it away.
In 2013 he said goodbye to the under 23 world by winning the Piccolo Lombardia alone Previously, before the World Championships in Florence, he won the Giro della Valle d'Aosta
In 2013 he said goodbye to the under 23 world by winning the Piccolo Lombardia alone Previously, before the World Championships in Florence, he won the Giro della Valle d'Aosta
Rossella Di Leo, who raised you at Colpack, says that if you had Masnada's grit, you'd be much stronger than him...
He tells me this every time we meet, I know what he says. Meanwhile, let's just say that seeing Fausto going fast makes me happy, thinking that they didn't even want to let him pass. Maybe there's some truth in what he says, even if... According to her, I don't try hard enough and I don't agree with that..
If it's not the commitment, it's the character…
Maybe I even need someone to kick me. Tomorrow I'll meet Damiani for the first time, They tell me he's a tough guy who makes you run to winLet's see, maybe this is exactly what I need.
Next season will be a special one, will you also have a different winter to be ready?
I think winter will always be the same. I've been without my bike for a month and it'll start again soon.Leonardo Piepoli is supervising my training. I'll start with the gym, mountain hikes, and cycling. I've never done such a long break, and I needed it to reset and get back on track.
In 2013, as an intern, Villella placed third at the Emilia Romagna Championships. Ulissi won, with Sorensen, who recently passed away, second. In 2019 he came second in the CRO Race behind Simon Yates
In 2013, as an intern, Villella placed third at the Emilia Romagna Championships. Ulissi won, with Sorensen, who recently passed away, second. In 2019 he came second in the CRO Race behind Simon Yates
It was said that in winter I tended to gain weight, too much weight…
These are phases that have been overcome. I have always thought that when it comes off, it really comes offAs long as we're talking about 4-5 kilos, I think it's fine, because all you have to do is get back on the bike and get on with your life and you'll lose it. We have to make up for it somewhere...
Will you ask to make a particular program?
I would like try harder in one-day races. And then to do the Giro and Vuelta as they did in Cannondale, but I'm open to anything they offer me. Next year it will be 31, I know I want to make the most of this opportunity.
