Il Team Franco Ballerini, a Tuscan junior team, loses a sporting director and finds another. Andrea Bardelli leaves, replaced by Luca Scinto (opening with the team at the Tour du Lac Leman in Switzerland). The news had been in the air for a while and in itself it is causing a sensation knowing the passion that Bardelli has always put into the team. A little bit for Franco's name And partly for always describing the riders as if they were his own children. From Stoinic to Svrcek, passing through Iacchi and more recently Michael Leonard, a promising Canadian talent in orbit Ineos Grenadiers.
Personal issues?
We intercept Bardelli during a break from work and we understand from his hesitations that, Whatever the reason, it's hard to talk about..
«For me it has always been a passion – he says – because my real job is in a service company in FlorenceI do my eight hours, I don't risk getting bored. And I'm planning for the future, because I'm certainly not giving up cycling. Usually, teams from the South seek support from the North, but this time it could be the other way around. I can say that lately... I had a difficult time due to my father's health problem. So I preferred to take a step back.. Of course, marriages end, this one could have ended too. But it cost me…».
A new project
Bardelli has been for a long time one of our interlocutors in the complex world of juniors and it's no secret that he has excellent credit around. We remember the message with which he LeonardImpressed by Team Ballerini's work ethic, he asked him to race with him in Tuscany. So, while respecting his desire to stay within limits, we tried to ask him a few questions. Rumor has it that he is working on an agreement with CPS Professional.Clemente Cavaliere's Campania team, which has already collaborated with Hopplà-Petroli Firenze, will involve the Ligurian group already involved with Team Ballerini. A fallback or a previous project?
What happened?
I wasn't at ease. At a certain point Luca (Scinto, ed.) came in and you can't say he bothered me. But I understood that it would be difficult to live togetherIt's a team I'd gotten into the habit of going abroad with, trying to make ourselves seen. And I'm proud in the end to have brought Svreck to Quick Step and Leonard to IneosThe goal is to help these kids find a job, but it's clear that doing so requires money.
Why give up?
Partly because of my father's speech, which fortunately is now coming to terms with. Partly because I didn't feel like I belonged in the project anymore.I didn't abandon the boys. I always had carte blanche and no one ever complained. We brought out some good riders and I have to thank Citracca for the work he allowed me to do. Including the student team. It takes money, we agree, but also passion.
Okay, but why give up?
I went a little off topic, I haven't been at peace for two months and I've decided to take a break., for what the shirt with that name on it represents. I didn't want to go back and I'm not talking about victories, but about image of a team where riders called to come.
Is it true that Leonard's move to Ineos was one of the problems?
Michael came here writing me a message, without an agent or anything. When I had it tested by Pino Toni, which has always helped us, some sensational numbers came out. The news spread and some managers approached, including Piscina who collaborates with AcquadroBut even if there were other interested agents, isn't the goal to look after the boy's best interests?
Was there a plan to bring it to Corratec?
What I know is that at a certain point his family intervened and they decidedHe even wanted to do a year as an U23, but they assured him that they will introduce him gradually, with 20 races and an appropriate program.
I understand the point, but something doesn't add up.
This isn't the time to say anything else, that's fine. I don't want to cause trouble. The name Ballerini means too much to me, remembering Franco and the Sabrina what's behind the teamAnd in any case, I left them in good hands. Scinto was a professional and knows how to be a sporting director. He's an experienced sports director, we all know that..
