In the last few days Dario Igor Belletta He was in Holland, for the first contact with the managers and structures of the Jumbo VismaA meeting postponed several times after the signing, but one that the rider from Magenta awaited with great impatience, eager to begin his new great adventure.
The summer brought a thousand emotions to the eighteen year old from Lombardy, between the conquest of the Italian title and joining such a prestigious team. The World Championships certainly didn't go as he'd hoped, ending prematurely, and, aside from the Australian trip, his results have been less brilliant than before. But there's a reason, and Belletta admits: "Since I signed, I've tried to take as few risks as possible. I don't race with an obligation to achieve results; in fact, if I can be useful to my teammates, I prefer it. 2023 will be crucial for me. I'm playing a lot and I want to get there in one piece."
Since you signed the contract, what contact have you had with the Dutch team?
I hear from them almost every day, and finally I was able to go to the office to collect the material and get in touch with the facility. Meeting the managers in person is another thing; we were able to lay the groundwork for next season. It'll be my first year in the new category, so there's a lot to learn, but I want to adapt as quickly as possible.
How do you rate this season compared to the previous one?
The results were there in both, this season there were some highs and some lows while in my first year as a junior I had been slightly more consistent in my performance. With a little more luck I would have brought home better results but overall it was a good year.
How did you find working in the national team with Salvoldi, who wasn't there last year?
With him the work is assiduous and very careful. Combining road and track is not easy and certainly affects the evolution of the season because many events are close together, but what is certain is that this year, both in the rallies and on the blue trips, I have learned a lot.
The coach, speaking about the category, emphasized how you work with kids with very different physical developments. Some develop over the course of their two years in the junior ranks, while others are precocious and therefore have a physical advantage over others in their first year. Have you changed in these 12 months?
Physically I've remained the same, I'm 1,87m tall and weigh 73 kilos. What the coach says is true, I may have developed it earlier but I believe that ultimately this has little influence on the evolution of a rider.To stand out, beyond just physical appearance, there must be other characteristics that involve technique, eye for detail, and the true meaning of being a rider. I think I have the classic physique of a fast paced cyclist, capable of holding my own even on certain types of climbs.
When you arrived at Jumbo Visma, have you already discussed objectives for 2023?
No, I think we'll talk about it during the first retreats but, ironically, I don't think there will be any specific ones and I don't mind that. 2023 will be very important for us to grow and continue developing the engine. My true goal is to improve and always give my best, and this is the basis of my choice to join such a prestigious project.
Almost all of your national teammates and opponents in the Italian classics have chosen to go abroad like you: is it a difficult choice for you, especially since you have no worthy alternatives in Italy?
I don't see it as a problem. It's not that I'm leaving Italy, I'll continue to train mostly at home and study, and in reality, at least initially, it won't change much. We need to start from one assumption: If I choose this life, I do it knowing that you travel a lot, you can't stay in the nest forever.I don't see any disadvantages.
What are your plans for the season finale?
I just want to finish in a relaxed way, without worrying about the results. Then I can finally rest and recharge my batteries for the new season. I don't know when we'll resume or when and where the training camp will be; they'll have to let me know.
Will you continue to divide your time between the road and the track?
Definitely, although the focus will be more on the road. But I'll always be ready for any possible national team call-ups, of course...
