In the last two Nations Cup trials the common thread for Marino Amadori's national team was the presence of Dario Igor Belletta, in addition to the excellent results achieved first in Poland and then in the Czech Republic. The profile of the Lombard, who moved at the beginning of the season from Visma Lease to Bike Development to Solme-Olmo, certainly stood out in the Italian trips. His arrival in the team of Giampietro Forcolin and the path to the next Giro Next Gen they were important topics for the city amadori, who wanted to place a lot of trust in the twenty-one-year-old from Lombardy (photo Tomasz Smietana in the opening).
Now Belletta is in retreat with the Solme-Olmo to refine the condition in view of the Giro Next Gen.
"This is the main event of the season," he tells us immediately, "because for an Italian boy, I don't think there's a more important race. The races with the national under 23 team helped me a lot to improve and show up in good condition at the start in Rho, which is also just a few kilometers from my house (Belletta was born and lives in Magenta, ed.)».
Blue May
The month of May was an important crossroads for Amadori, who was able to see his boys at work and take notes ahead of the key events of the Azzurri season. The responses received from Poland and the Czech Republic highlighted the qualities of the under-23 group who has found a remarkable balance both on and off the pitch. Part of the credit also goes to Dario Igor Belletta.
«We had fun – he says – and we made others have fun. We're going home with two top 3 finishes in the general classification (Mellano e Turconi in Poland e Gualdi in the Czech Republic, ed.). The opportunity to run both these races with the national team was a great pleasure for me and I have to say thank you to Marino AmadoriI wrote to him the other day, Monday, when we got home. I thanked him and told him I'd like to do something to repay his trust. He replied that he wants to see me fight at the Giro Next Gen».
So the next target is already in your sights?
Absolutely, I will watch the first two stages in the next few days, but the Giro Next Gen It'll be full of opportunities. I really like the second stage, which reaches Cantù, but otherwise there are plenty of stages suitable for riders like me.
After a winter without any running days, how important was it to find your rhythm as a group?
So much. I knew I wasn't in my best condition but I'm happy to have put two international stage races under my belt and for helping my teammates. I managed to do what Amadori asked of me, and I'm happy about it; in fact, I even did slightly better than I expected. Maybe I sacrificed some results, but it was the right thing to do to try to achieve the best possible result as a team.
A great way to come back, to be alongside young and talented teammates.
Mellano, Turconi, and Gualdi are strong guys, very strong. I enjoyed playing this role, which I feel is my own. Due to physical reasons, given that I weigh 75 kilos and am 187 centimeters tall, ranking is difficult. Showing that I can lead a game in support and be ready is a great thing, and I think it's a good sign for a call up to the professional ranks. Many teams are looking for someone like me.
Is there anything you feel you passed on to him?
Athletically they are good but they have never found themselves in racing situations like this where you are called upon to rank and lead a team in international races. They responded well, achieving some really high placings.They are very talented guys and now I will have to face them at Giro Next Gen as opponents, it won't be easy but we will have different goals.
Will you now also have the space to seek a personal result and repay the trust of Solme-Olmo?
I think it was nice for the team to have a rider present at both Nations Cup races. But yes, now I have the chance to get some results wearing their jersey. Al Giro Next Gen the team does not start with ambitions of ranking, So we'll be free to move around. Apart from the Passo Maniva and Prato Nevoso stages, I think I have an excellent chance.
How do you feel about your condition?
Having competed in two stage races has given me a lot. In both Poland and the Czech Republic, I managed to stay with the best on many occasions, even on courses that weren't particularly suited to my abilities. A sign that the condition is there. After a difficult winter mentally, I feel like I've found the right serenity that's helping me improve a lot.
How will you spend the last few days before the start?
Relaxed with my teammates at the retreat, and then the challenge will begin. I'm ready and can't wait to get started.
