He's always handled pressure well. Mattia Pinazzi – who turns twenty-one on April 4th – is one of those who If the world is about to fall, take a step to the side so as not to get hit.He's never been overly influenced by his performances. Not when he was winning a lot in the youth categories, nor when he struggled to find results in recent years.
Arvedi Jersey
The sprinter of the Arvedi Cycling, the same team as Moro and Lamon, wants to make a personal upgrade and face 2022 as a protagonist. He will do so with renewed optimism thanks to the seals obtained in the final part of last seasonFrom August 20, the day he won the bronze medal at the European U23 track championships in Holland, to October 16, the date of his success in Saronno in an U23 race.
Two months of fire in which the Parma native, once the problems with his right knee were resolved, won in mid-September in the space of three days also the Targa Libero Ferrario on the road and the elite Italian flag on the track in the scratch race at Dalmine.
To understand his plans, we heard from Pinazzi at the end of his daily training (four hours of cycling on the first hills outside Parma) and on the eve of the Italian road and track training camp (of which he will be part) wanted by Marco Villa scheduled from tomorrow 8 February until 12 in Peschiera del Garda.
Mattia, how's the preparation going?
I'm doing well compared to last year at the same time. I started training first, in November, after a short vacation. During the winter I ran the Six Days of Ghent and in Grenchen. They were useful races to immediately find the right pedal strokeAnd I felt the benefit of it during the team's mini-retreat (from January 31st to February 4th, ed.).
Have your road debut and the rest of your calendar already been planned?
Yes, the debut will be Saturday, February 26th at San GeoThe next day I will be in Misano for the 100 kilometers that runs inside the motorcycle circuitThe rest of the season is more or less set to go as many road races as possible for a specific goal.
What?
The intention and priority are to go to the World Cup in AustraliaI've already spoken about it with coach Marino Amadori. I'm on his list of potential candidates for the Azzurri, he believes in meAnd I want to reciprocate. The path is suited to my characteristics. It doesn't look very hard, but it has some climbs that, even if they don't seem impossible, should not be underestimated.I will have to try to go fast right from the first races because the first step would be to conquer the call-up for some matches in the North to be played with the national team.
And what will you do with the track?
I don't want to neglect her. Marino knows it, so much so that he has already spoken about it with Marco (Villa, the track manager, ed.)Marco also understood the situation, as I imagined. I have a good relationship with both of them, I will be in touch with them during the season.
There are also other appointments with the national team…
Yes, there will also be the European Championships and the Mediterranean Games. But we haven't discussed them in depth. Then in April the Nation's Cup track trials will beginThe European and World Track Championships are another goal. I want to earn a call-up and do well, even though I've already done them, so they're nothing new compared to the road races.
Will these races put a little more pressure on you?
Indeed I always have a little bit of it but I hide it well (laughs, ed.) It's right and good to have it. As Elia (Viviani, ed.) always says, Races are won and lost but the important thing is to know that you have done and given your all to do them at their best.
You've been part of the Italian track team for a few years. Are you ready for the upcoming handover? Paris 2024 is on the horizon, and you could be an important player...
Many people have already asked me this question. Going to the next Olympics is one of my goals, but we'll have to see what the professionals will do. And consequently what I'll be doing. There are many elite athletes for the track and joining a new quartet, after what they have won in the last competitions, will be very difficultI've always worked with them in recent years, but for one reason or another, I'd arrive at international events feeling under-performing. In any case, Villa will decide, and I'll continue to be available.
You finished last season on a high. What unlocked your mental strength?
I think it was the bronze medal at the European track championshipsEven as a junior, I always saw it there without ever catching it. It seemed like a mirage. Until then, to get back to the top, I basically used races as training. I did everything in the race. I pulled all day for my teammates from start to finish. After that third place everything was easier.
Mattia, by the way, one last question before we wrap up. When might you see a future among the pros?
It's too early to think about it. Even though I don't have an agent, there were some talks in the summer with some professional and WorldTour teams., but I won't tell you who they were. I also received an offer from the Fiamme Azzurre, but I haven't decided yet. Also because I have to meet certain requirements. Now I'm only thinking about 2022, where I want to improve on last year's placings. And try to win, win and win.
