Veterans and Bardiani-Csf-Faizanè: it's certainly not a good time. The team of Bruno Reverberi after his farewell to cycling John Visconti, which we have already told you about, is trying in every way to get things going Enrico Battaglin e Sacha Modolo.
The two Venetians had grown up in the Greenteam. Their return after stints with major teams, including foreign ones, was filled with hope and enthusiasm. But so far, they've seen little of each other.
It's true that the old guard has paid the highest price for the "Covid effect," but now it's time to show what they're made of. He doesn't lack class, however. We are in fact talking about two riders with an impressive track record and over ten years of professional racing behind them.
About Modolo…
We are talking about them with Bruno Reverberi. The old-school boss certainly doesn't mince his words. "How are they doing? They're going slowly! Maybe they're saving themselves for the Tour of Italy, but if they go like this I'll end up not taking them there."
«I couldn't say why they aren't going fast: motivation is lacking, perhaps there is a physical decline, I don't know. Yet Modolo last year he won a raceI was convinced he had unblocked himself, that he had overcome his problems. But what problems? Maybe it's more of a mental thing."
«Modolo hasn't finished higher than 12th place this season, never in the top ten. But that What makes me sad is that he doesn't even sprint anymore. He says it's not worth jostling for fifth or sixth place. Let's see what he does in Türkiye now.
«Not sprinting for the placing is something he did even when he was youngBut even a fifth or seventh place would be useful. In the end, we didn't hire him to win 50 races, but bringing home a few podiums and a few placings would be a good thing for the sponsors, too. Sometimes you just have to settle. And if he doesn't want to sprint, maybe he could shoot them Fiorelli».
About Battaglin…
Reverberi then goes on to talk about his other big name, Enrico Battaglin, athlete who in the past he had had for five years and who with his team had achieved the greatest successes.
«Battaglin – continues Reverberi – outside the Giro he has never achieved great results, Even when he rode for other teams. His history says so. Maybe because he's not someone who just kills himself training, and at the Giro he necessarily has to race and pedal like the others."
In fact Battaglin he achieved three of his four victories as a professional in the Giro d'Italia: two at Bruno's court and one during the LottoNL-Jumbo days. As if to say that at least the statistics are in his favor and his wait is more "justified."
Calendars and professional
But like a good father, after the ear-pulling, Bruno holds out his hand. He hopes that things can get back to normal and makes a correct analysis of the situation between professional and WorldTour.
«Of the 23 female riders – he explains – we have 12 who are neo-professionals. Despite this, we have already done 10 WorldTour racesBut when there's such a limited calendar, without the races in Asia and without the certainty of participation precisely because we're not a WorldTour, what happens? Does it happen that at the beginning of the season you send out a lot of requests to participate, and if they then accept you, what do you do: you don't go? And we do a lot of activities, but with little space."
«Without the races in Asia – says Reverberi – it is more difficult for us to achieve results. The only way to collect something is to go on the run, to be seen. And look, this also applies to most WorldTour teams. Aside from those six or seven strongest, catch-all teams, even the other WorldTour teams are looking for breakaways.
«I would like our two to go on the run though.Battaglin goes there every now and then. Modolo doesn't, but he rightly waits for the sprint."
