Let's take a step back in these weeks of frenetic activity and return to the Australian trip, where it all began. The return of the Santos Tour Down Under It also gave satisfaction to Italian cycling, but saw Jay Vine, the new acquisition of the UAE Team Emirates. Talking about him as a rider who jumped out of the now famous competition Zwift it is at this point pleonastic, We are talking about a climber through and through who in a few days took home the national time trial title and the first WorldTour stage race.
A few days ago his sports director Marco Marcato he had talked about how Alessandro Covi had protected him in some moments of the race, especially when he was in the group, teaching him how to "polish": one of the technical aspects the Australian still needs to work on. It was therefore right to hear from the Italian rider about how he viewed his teammate.
“It was the first time we ran together as teammates,” Covi says, “but I had already had the opportunity to meet him last year. He integrated into the environment immediately, he will have no problems».
What kind of character is he?
There are two adjectives that I think best describe him from what I've seen: calm and humble. He's a guy who works well, he's always very focused, you could see he wanted to do well in the home raceIn the initial hierarchies I was supposed to be the captain, but the fall in the prologue immediately took me out of the rankings so we all worked for him. He was already in remarkable shape, he made the difference.
There's been a lot of talk about your contribution as his lieutenant, especially within the team. Is he really still having trouble getting better?
I say he already knows how to be in a group. Just look at the fact that he knows how to interpret fans well, he is always found in the top positions, he has excellent control of the race. It's clear that as the days and weeks go by, things will get better and better. Perhaps he still needs to find the right balance within the group. There's an episode in this regard that really stuck with me...
Tells…
During one stage, we had to get water bottles for the team, and given my position in the standings, I was happy to do the job. When I brought it to him, he was very fearful about the situation in the group and didn't even look at me so as not to lose sight of the others.It's a small thing, but it shows how careful he is not to make any mistakes, and that's the right attitude.
Many point out the fact that he comes from a different professional background and this penalizes him.
In my opinion, however, you can see that he has youthful experience on his side, he knows how to ride a bike, he is new to the WorldTour, but he already knows how to position himself. By the way, he always thanks, he integrated well into the team also for this reasonOf course, in some situations, someone more capable can help him, but it was also clear in the stage where he finished third and which gave him the final victory that he can already handle himself.
Let's get to you: how do you get out of Australia?
I'm quite satisfied, my condition is improving. I knew I still had a lot of work to do, and racing for Jay helped me too. When you win, everything is fine.
Many expected a breakthrough from you. On social media, people often talk about the marginal role reserved for Italian riders, even Tiberi He spoke about showing character and charisma in competition. What do you think?
I believe that the first thing that makes the difference is always the legsThe race is run by those who are best suited, and Vine's case confirms this. He was the best-fitted rider, and it was right to run for him. Certainly, when you're in a strong team, with so many winning riders, Finding space isn't easy, you really have to be at your best, but the opportunity arises and you have to be ready.
But do you think there is a certain preference on the part of the teams for the home rider?
What matters is that the team wins, so We run for those who can achieve the result, we certainly don't look at the identity card... It's clear that character also counts, knowing how to fit into a group: if you help and work, when it's your turn you can be sure that the others will work for you...
What awaits you now?
I'll race in Spain in Murcia and Andalusia, where I was a protagonist last year, then I'll do the Italian races and after the Sanremo I'll start preparing for the Giro d'Italia. For me this year no Northern classics, during that period I will be at high altitude, precisely because I want to prepare well for the Giro d'Italia.
