Renato Favero is preparing for a very busy May and early June, full of goals. With his national track commitments behind him, After achieving an excellent third place in the World Cup race in Malaysia in the quartet, it's time to look to the roadThe rouleur from Bassano del Grappa, who this year is racing with the Biesse Carrera Premac, was one of the references of the youth track movement as a junior. And now that Milesi and Nicoletti's team allows him to train consistently on the parquet he has returned to doing one of the things he loves most (opening photo by Camilla Santaromita).
«Back from the blue commitment in Malaysia – Favero tells us – I rested for a total of four days, before returning to serious training in view of the road commitments. At the end of May I will race in Tuscany and then at the Due Giorni Marchigiana, while from 4th to 7th June I will be in France at the Ronde of the OiseA series of really important appointments, because my possible call to the Giro Next Gen».
How did this return to track racing go?
Since the beginning of the year I have done the elite European Championships, then my first World Cup race. Now I'll run on the road, before looking at the U23 European Track Championships and a possible call-up to the World Championships at the end of the year.
In Malaysia you raced with the quartet, achieving a nice third place, was that a positive outcome?
In my opinion, yes. In the end I had agreed with the national team and the team to only run the race in Malaysia, also because I was supposed to go to the Giro della Magna Grecia. But then the race was cancelled and it was too late to join the Italian expedition to Hong Kong, where the other members of the quartet went. In Montichiari, only Boscaro and I remained to train..
A linear preparation?
It went well, also because with two people you can't do a lot of training or tests that would have been useful, for example we have never done a race simulationLuckily, I know the other quartet members very well, so once we arrived in Malaysia everything went smoothly.
Can you find a balance with the team?
They give me a lot of freedom and I can train once a week with other guys from the national team in Montichiari, led by SalvoldiI get along well with him, he was the track manager when I was a junior and it makes me happy to see him again even now.
Are you able to fit track workouts into your weekly schedule?
Yes, also because when I have to do strength, power or SFR work I go to the velodrome to do itOr if I have time trial training, I go to Montichiari. A day with Salvoldi is intense, but it pays off, both on the road and on the track.
Can you explain it better?
On the road I feel like I have a good pedal stroke, It's a feeling I also had after the European Elite Championship at the beginning of the yearIn short efforts, like sprints or in the case of attacks at the end of the race, my legs feel different, they feel full.
Milesi also had this perception, and he told us about your great love for the track…
Even if it doesn't seem like it, for me the track represents a moment that allows me to switch off with my mind. I'm committed and it's a demanding activity, but mentally it helps me a lot., every time I start running on the road again after being on the track I feel fresh and rested. Furthermore, on the parquet, I am aware of being strong.
Awareness that can also be brought to the road?
I'm working on it, the dynamics are very different, as are the mentalities you need to have while running. However, I am working hard to bring the confidence I have on the track to the road too.. A lot will also depend on the next commitments, manage to earn a place for the Giro Next Gen it would be a great step forwardI feel like I need to have an experience like that, also because in the two years in I have to team up of soudal I've never done it.
In Soudal you weren't able to train so much on the track, did you miss it?
A lot, it's a type of activity that gives me a lot of serenity.
Does knowing you're strong on the track push you to look to future challenges, even the more distant ones?
At the moment I'm looking at what's to come, I would like to earn a call-up to the elite world championshipsMilan and Ganna should return there, running in the quartet with them would be fantastic.
Are you talking about it with Salvoldi?
He often tells me that to become a stable member of the quartet you need to train a lot on the track throughout the year. People like Milan, Ganna and Consonni can afford to take a break for several months, I can't.The under-23 races don't give you the push and preparation you get with the WorldTour.
Can you keep this double dream: professionalism and track, open?
I'm trying and working to make the leap in both disciplines. I promised myself not to live it as a worry, but in the most serene way possible.I'm focused on training, racing, and having fun. I know I'm in my third year as an U23, and on the road I want to find the results I've been missing.
What does it take to get them?
Let's start with a little luck, then the rest will come. In summer I usually find my best condition, so I'm confident.
