Operating in a region as challenging as the Marche region for cycling is neither simple nor straightforward. Investing and building a team capable of covering all categories is even more challenging. The Chiaravallese Pedal has undertaken a difficult path and he did it first with the activities of the youngest: beginners, very young people and students. In 2018 they added the juniors, expanding the offer and trying to retain the kids within the region. Ensuring their project continuity, without having to pack their bags and leave.
Fewer riders? Less society.
The spiral is easy to see, but not so easy to counteract. Cycling is evolving and the junior category is becoming increasingly important and selectiveMany kids quit early, and without the riders, the clubs close.
"Our goal," explains Giulio Cardinali, the president, "is to become a point of reference, like Vangi or Team Giorgi. Especially for the junior category, which has changed a lot in these years since we added her to our team. It has become increasingly challenging for the our boysThe risk is that they will stop and the category will die, with the consequence that valuable athletes will be forced to migrate to other regions.
"The category is becoming more competitive," he continues, "and you can see it. The kids are growing differently from each other, and some aren't ready yet. Once they had the space to grow, mature, run, now they have lessMany kids stop as students, but if there are no riders, the clubs fail, it's a logical consequence."
How are things going with you?
2023 was a difficult year, even those who had won something as students felt the change in category. A company that holds the juniors must be 100 percent structured. You need to have trainers, the right sports directors, a nutritionist and a person who takes care of the athletic aspect. You can't do activities like you did six or seven years ago.
Your project was born in a difficult moment…
We had intended to turn over a new leaf, it was a spontaneous reaction to these difficulties. In 2024 we want to make a change of pace, so we founded the Zero24 Cycling TeamWe found ourselves registering athletes from different provinces and we wanted to create a brand that wouldn't clash with our history. The boys are all registered for the Chiaravallese Pedal, only the name of the team changes, but the management is still ours.
How do you work?
We have understood one thing, that if a society does not evolve it risks dying. Everything around us is a resource: children and parents first and foremost.We often hear that directors are in charge in companies and parents should stay out of it, but we don't understand why. A mother or father are the first enthusiasts, they talk to their children. They are a resource, not a limitation. We want, first and foremost, to train people, and then athletes. Family is the medium through which everything becomes possible..
And the collaborators and the staff?
We're taking on a lot of guys who ran with us and then stopped. They're our strength. We take them, we give them technical training, we invest. For example, we made a launch video, shot by a guy who was running with us. Others instead become coaches and this makes us make the difference.
In what way?
We cater to all categories, which means we have children up to eighteen-year-olds. We noticed that the interaction of a 6 year old child with a 50 year old adult is difficult.Experience is helpful, but it's important to create a direct line of communication.
And how is the business organized?
We cater to all categories and disciplines, and we strongly believe in this aspect. For the very young, we offer road and mountain biking. While we take the older ones, that is the students, to the trackThe closest velodrome is in Forlì, 140 kilometers there and another 140 back. It's a big investment, but it's worth it.We don't force anyone to do anything, in fact if a child prefers, they can continue mountain biking peacefully.
How do you cover all these expenses?
There are many passionate sponsors who follow and support us every year, as far as possible. Plus we have a great relationship with the parentsUntil 2022, we were giving bikes to all the kids, including the juniors. Since last year, we haven't been able to do that due to the high cost of materials. We spoke to the parents and they agreed to do this shopping.Of course, if someone can't make it, we'll help them, of course. The money we used to put into bikes has now been reinvested in other areas. We always give our best, trying to optimize costs.
