Simone Gualdi's Italian junior title, won in Pieve del Grappa, closed the period dedicated to the tricolor (opened with an emotional Beppe Maffeis, honorary president and founder of the Cene Cycling School). This is the second Italian title won by a boy with a suitcase in his hand, Gualdi in fact he is promised to the bride Circus-ReUz, Intermarché-Circus-Wanty's development team. Last year it was the turn of Belletta, then moved to the Jumbo-Visma development team. The rider from Bergamo spent his last four years at Cycling School Cene, a stone's throw from home. Raised under the watchful eye of Marco Valoti and the staff.
Everyone away
Gualdi in Pieve del Grappa has achieved a small great masterpiece, with an action that showed the boy's qualitiesA rider who has grown enormously in the four years at Cene, thanks also to the carrot and stick used by Valoti.
«There were four of our boys at the Italian championship – says Valoti – Simone raced with the Lombardy team. I dropped my boys off at the hotel on Friday and we all tried the trail together.I came back on Saturday to say goodbye to him and saw him shortly before leaving on Sunday. I gave him a little advice and then he left.
What did you tell him?
Not to act crazy like he usually does – he laughs – the race was long, a good 137 kilometers, plus it was really hot. Even the guys who didn't run came up to Sunday's race and We positioned ourselves along the route to provide supportWe had a feeling it would go well.
So it was, given the victory and the ensuing celebration.
Gualdi was the first for us in many things – he says proudly – he was the first Italian champion and the first to participate in a world championship, the one in Wollongong last year. These are small things that, when added together, bring immense pleasure, especially to those who give so much for this team. President and vice president Maffeis and all the staff were also present in Pieve del GrappaIt's not a given that we'll have so many people following us and giving us a hand.
Gualdi grew up with you for four years. What kind of growth have you seen?
The last two years he made an important change of mentality, as a kid he often won and did more or less what he wanted, after all he had something extra. As a student he had his first hesitations and I was very supportive of him.I always told him I wasn't doing it for myself, but for him.
And did Simone get the message?
Yes, so much so that he then did what you all saw in these two years as a junior. He himself told me this several times.: «Thank you for making me understand so many things».
What is his character like?
A very good guy. Due to work I don't have much time to take care of the business, but he calls me every day and we talk oftenAfter the Italian, he left for Barcelona with some friends; it was his 18th birthday present. On his way back he called me to ask me something about training and came to say hello to me in the officeHe's like that, he has great humanity.
In these categories the sports director is often a coach and a parent.
True, but it's worth it if the satisfactions are these. You don't have to be a superhero to do well, you have to have the right mindset. You have to talk to kids and let them grow up without stress, explaining the rationale behind all the choices we've made. In these categories, you know not everyone will become a cyclist; what we want to do is provide the right mindset for growth.
Gualdi, however, will make an important leap next year, moving to Circus-ReUz, he will go into an environment very different from yours.
In Italy he had many offers but he decided this way. But talking to the various riders and mechanics we understood that it is not too differentHe would have the opportunity to settle in and understand many things. At Circus-ReUz, too, they let the kids grow up slowly. Then I have to admit that right now he has the right mentality to face such a change.
Let's end with a "parent" question: what was your best moment with Simone?
I'd be lying if I didn't say the Italian title, but last year's World Cup was also a great emotionTogether with the team, we organized an evening at the Nembro oratory to watch the race. We had dinner there and watched the race on the big screen. The best thing? Simone's video call an hour before the race, he remembered us.I told you he has great humanity.
Dry our tears, where did that piss you off?
In these two years as a junior there have been none. I remember one as a student, but I won't tell you.Simone knows what I'm talking about and when he reads the interview it will come to mind.
