Filippo Baroncini we had left it at Giro d'Italia U23, first, and then at the Italian time trial championship. The Colpack-Ballan rider had been one of the squires of Juan Ayuso in the Giro d'Italia, but at the same time he had won the time trial, proving himself to be one of those heavyweights. He confirmed this a few weeks later at the Italian championship, winning the Italian title.
Finished? Not a chance. Because his list of achievements continued to grow with the victory at the Etoile d'Or, achieved as a seasoned champion. Filippo was hurtling toward the finish line alone at 55 miles an hour. The group was just a few seconds behind, and he even found time to pump his fist in celebration of his impending victory. Absolute grit.
And a rider like that couldn't go unnoticed by the big teams. And right on time, here it is. Trek-Segafredo Luca Guercilena called him to report.
Filippo, tell us how the negotiations with Trek went…
My agent worked on it, Luca Mazzanti. We introduced ourselves to the Italian pros, who were not too far from my home, Massa Lombarda. Guercilena he told me that I had achieved a good result in the Italian time trial and in the Pessano-Roncola. And then I saw that he works very well with young players. He gives them the right amount of space and doesn't let them shoot, and that's enough to keep them from even finishing the games. And this gives me morale. For me, at least, it's very important.
Antonio Tiberi comes from Colpack and went to Trek. Did you contact him? Did you ask him for advice?
More than anything, I tried to contact him, but I couldn't. So I did it myself. Anyway, he and I weren't together at Colpack. I came from Beltrami and he went to Trek precisely.
At the Etoile d'Or, a 2.2 race in France, you won the second stage. How did it go?
It was a victory that gave me a lot of morale, and what's more, I got it wearing the national team jersey. I didn't know amadori, even if it's from my area. It helped me become aware of my own abilities and to get used to certain types of competitions. Then that day it was very windy, the roads were narrow... in short, it was a nervous race and I'm happy. I ran, we ran, well.
Why Trek? Did you have any other requests?
I had already had some requests a year ago, but I didn't feel ready for the transition and I preferred to wait.
And were they from World Tour teams?
No, professional. That's why I wanted to wait, too. Making it to a WorldTour has always been my goal.
You won the Etoile d'Or with a finishing touch: what kind of rider do you think you are?
Un Van Aert of the future…
Oh well! You chose a rider...
Well, with time, that's clear! But I've proven I'm strong on all terrains (Baroncini is very fast, ed.) and I don't want to lose my personality by pursuing some sort of specialization.
You'll also do the Tour de l'Avenir, Amadori told us…
Adesso I'm up high, in Livigno, just to prepare for the Avenir. I'm here with Gomez e Glass. Also between the European and World Championships I will do some races as an intern with Trek.
