This year's season has been a peculiar one, to say the least. If the pros have suffered, the youth categories have not been any better, indeed... The lack of the World Championships then let the season "die" prematurely. In any case, at least on the national level, there was racing. Little, but there was racing. With Rino De Candido, Italian junior coach, let's take stock.
Rino, has the lack of the World Cup "strangled" this season?
Yes. Racing started in late August. Many riders had only competed in two races before the Italian Championships. The World Cup is a motivation for the boys and for the teams. If the World Championship is missing, a goal is missing and the cyclist must have one. But this also applies to important events like the Lunigiana for example. Only one stage race was held, the Tour of Friuli.
And did the way of competing also change?
For me, yes. Perhaps unconsciously, but the guys ran with less determination. I saw trials with 230 starters, but after 30 kilometers, only 100 riders were left. And they weren't tough races. What does that mean? They were just going to get going. Covid has left its mark everywhere, and I think cycling has suffered more than other sports.
Is a “national” group emerging from 2020?
In the end I see that there is a nice group of Tuscans and Lombards. In addition there are Germans, De Pretto, Bagatin...
For obvious reasons, more time trials have been held: could this be of help for this discipline?
We've been on the international podiums in time trials for several years. Last year we even won the world championship with Antonio Tiberi and this year we were third at the European Championship with Andrea Montoli also Ganna He won the most important gold. Preparing for time trials isn't easy; I've seen many who competed in them just for the sake of it. It takes technicians and materials.
Isn't that an excessive expense for junior clubs?
I don't think it's that big. I think first of all we need good technicians and really interested companies. The one that comes to mind is Trevigliese for example, with Lorenzo Milesi, Italian champion, and Lorenzo Piganzoli, thirdNow there is a basis to work on, a group.
Who will we find among the U23s next year?
There are Francesco Calì, Lorenzo Germani, Christian Bagatin, Andrea Montoli, Davide De Pretto… Bagatin is already well-built and doesn't mind running; he's always smiling. And that's important. I really like Calì as a rider. He's also good. Gianmarco Garofali, for me it has room for growth.
And the two Italian students, Montoli and Germani? They both went to a scientific high school, seem very polite, and speak well...
They are too good guys! The real rider must be more cunning, smarter. Look Evenepoel, Pogacar, Van Aert...see what smart faces they have? They need a winning mentality and competitive determination. Germani is very strong for this category, but I don't think he has a great drive. I've noticed it in the stage races. But he can improve. Montoli, on the other hand, already seems more of a racer to me: he's strong in time trials and holds his own on climbs. He has time trials in his head, but he needs to develop a bit more of a road mentality.
What do you expect next year?
That's a big question mark. Let's hope we can get back to normal. I'm sorry that... lights did not accept the request block categories a year. It would have been good for the boys.
Who lost the most?
Second-year students and juniors: moving up a category will be harder for them.
