After Antonio Tiberi here's another talent from Lazio: Lorenzo Germani, Ciociaro from Roccasecca (Frosinone), born in 2002.
The young standard-bearer of the Work Service Romagnano He was second in the Italian junior championship Abano Terme and then racked up further successes in his two years in this category. After a difficult transition to the juniors, Germani found confidence and consistency in his performance.
Lorenzo, let's start with the Italian race: how did it go? Were you more happy or saddened by the second place finish?
It's a second place that tastes more bitter what a satisfaction. I was happy because I had run well, I believed in it, but I was disappointed because I really missed out on a few points (he lost in the sprint from Andrea Montoli, ed).
You made a long escape…
We started 40 kilometers from the finish line, first we were a small group of eight riders and then we were left with just two. I tried to detach Montoli in every way but I didn't succeed.
What kind of rider do you feel like?
I'd say I'm quite well-rounded. I can adapt well to many routes and situations, but not in sprints. And I like time trials.
As we were saying, your first year as a junior wasn't easy. You broke your femur. How did it go?
It was January 9th and I was training. I hit a pothole and ended up on the edge of a sidewalk. I broken femur right and I brought back one tear in the muscle Vastus medialis in my left leg. This has caused me a lot of problems, but I'm recovering well.
What did you think at that moment?
At first I didn't understand it well, I just felt a lot of pain. When I finally understood the situation, I immediately tried to look on the positive sideAfter all, I was a first-year and would have had time to recover. Plus, I had a lot of people close to me, starting with my parents. I was completely out of action for two months. I also gained 4-5 kilos.
When did you get back in the saddle?
March 21st, the first day of spring, was a rebirth. And I was back on the road on April 28th. It was a flat race, and I managed to finish. I made myself available to my teammates.
But what tenacity!
Yes, I always give it my all. The strange thing is that on June 9th, Exactly six months after the accident, I returned to victory. I was practically home, and I managed to win despite not being in top form. Then I won two more races, but that day I really realized I had recovered and could start looking ahead again.
Do you have a test climb?
No, here in the lower Ciociaria I have several routes, I like to change. For this reason I prefer to do long workouts, the 4-hour ones. While I don't really like snapshots.
Is there a rider you like?
Cancellara because he was a real phenomenon and won the Flanders, but also De Gent and Wellens. I like riders who attack, who aren't afraid. I recognize myself in them because they don't back down when it's hard work.
Who instilled in you a passion for cycling?
My dad, Maurizio, got it about ten years ago, and I followed him. He was an amateur, and I was a G3.
What school do you go to?
The scientific one, but I've already finished because I made the first grade. I won't go any further for now, I want to see how things go and focus on the bike.
