From May 5th the Italian junior national team will be at the start of the Peace Race, four-day race in the Czech Republic, won in recent years by riders such as Hagenes (second in the opening stage after the first 2021 stage), Evenepoel, McNulty, and Pedersen. When choosing our names and given the caliber of the course and the opponents, City Salvoldi started with the second-year riders.
"The idea," he explains, "is due to the fact that the season has just begun in Italy. And even though some first-year talent is emerging, the distances and the high level of the race make slightly more mature athletes more suitable. And among the second years I chose, some have excellent prospects in the pursuit quartet. I added to them Bozzola and Arrighetti, who have recently won some good races».
First stage from Litomence to Litomence: 102,8 kilometers The first half-stage of the second day is the 11,2 km time trial in Trebenice The second half-stage, from Steti to Steti, is more challenging and measures 57 kilometres. The 121,7 kilometres from Teplice to Olbernhau get serious: it's the big stage The fourth and final stage, 96,4 kilometers, from Terezin to Terezin. The total course length is 389,1 kilometers.
First stage from Litomence to Litomence: 102,8 kilometers The first half-stage of the second day is the 11,2 km time trial in Trebenice The 2nd half-stage, from Steti to Steti, is more tense and measures 57 kilometres. The 121,7 kilometres from Teplice to Olbernhau get serious: it's the big stage The fourth and final stage, 96,4 kilometers, from Terezin to Terezin. The total course length is 389,1 kilometers.
Six blues
While we wait to fully understand the starting list and therefore our athletes' opponents, the Italian selection is worthy of consideration. There are Belletta e Thomas Bessega. Of the Widows and SavinoPlus the winner of the Liberazione GP (Bozzola) and Arrighetti, who has already scored three victories.
The Peace Race lasts four days, although the second day features two half-stages. And while our riders probably won't have much of a chance in the overall standings, they'll have something to say about the day's finishes.
Aren't we going to rank?
I don't think so, if only because No Italian with climbing characteristics has yet been reportedIt's still early, I'm sure things will be different in the coming months. So we'll go to gain experience and maybe aim for some goals of the dayThe roll of honor is full of strong riders, it is not an easy race.
Let's move on to the second years, but 2005 is said to be an excellent vintage. Do you agree?
I would definitely say yes and I was also told by the person who managed these kids in the students' group last year2005 was a good year, with strong guys on the track too. Evaluating them on the road will take more time and more challenging races.
Did going to such an important race require the boys to prepare differently?
Everyone is aware of the importance of the Peace Race, but we have not intensified preparationWe will need it. as a comparison and to continue the preparation processAnd since the Nations Cup points are important, we will certainly do something.
You seem confident about the road activity and aware of the work that needs to be done on the track…
It's clear that the quartet, due to the adaptation times, needs longer processesThere's work to be done. Plus, let's take into account the school situation and the logistics of Montichiari, which aren't convenient for those who don't live nearby. For this reason... Italy is different from many countries in the rest of the world, for us, school matters more.
When are you leaving?
This afternoon. We'll settle in until tomorrow.. And then it begins.
