With the arrival of autumn, the season draws to a close, the first calculations are made and we are already thinking about the year to come. Andrea Raccagni Noviero (Instagram photo above) These days he's relaxing with some friends. A short break before diving into the final races of the calendar.
«Today (yesterday, ed.) I went mushroom picking with some friends – he says while driving home – but it didn't go as expected. The season should be good, but we haven't found muchThere were four of us, so a lot of us, but the expedition was negative."
The season with the Devo Team of the Soudal-Quick Step, Instead?
At the beginning of the year I was already surprised by what had been done, we talked about it. I would say that the amazement at my performance remained, even if I didn't have a "linear" season.
In what sense?
I haven't had much consistency in racing, also thanks to a period in which I was stopped due to a slight illnessI spent a whole week without a bike right around the corner. Paris-Roubaix U23I alternated more or less long periods of running with periods at home, where I trained seriously.
Were there any races missing from the calendar or was it a team decision?
Both things. In Belgium it's a bit different, there isn't necessarily a race every weekend.There are periods when you are inactive. In other cases, however, the team has not run during the period of Giro Next Gen there was no double activity.
How did you find this method?
Actually, good, because I'm someone who loves to train at home. In fact, I like putting in so many hours of training. It's a method that works, I arrive at the races ready and mentally rested, I'm hungrier. On the first outing, you might be lacking a little bit of running pace., but I can train it well with the back of the bike and with the first race I compete in. I've noticed a lot of improvements.
Which?
The first is related to numbers. In the periods before the racing blocks, of which there were three this year, I broke my power records three times.I didn't do my best numbers during the competition, but before. This means the method is working, and working well.
Didn't you miss the continuity of your running?
I'd say no. Running is stressful, especially for the mind. Once the races are over, you have to recover. If you train, however, you arrive fresh and ready, both physically and mentallyYou really want to prove it. Considering that you might push yourself hard in training, even with triples, but you recover before running.
But something was missing, the spark to win…
I made six podiums, this means that I did well but I was never actually at my best to winIn some cases, I had a teammate ahead of me, so due to the dynamics of the race, I found myself blocked. In other situations, however, I lost in the sprint. It's not an aspect I've paid much attention to this season.I haven't had much focus on the gym. Last year (my final year of junior year, ed.) my sprint numbers were better. But it's a team strategy.
Explain to us…
I had already spoken about it with the trainer at the beginning of the year. The goal was to reach the end of the race with a still high peak strength. For example, if my peak power in training is 1.400 watts, my goal at the end of the race is to reach 1.350. It makes no sense to peak at 1.600 watts in training and then sprint to the race feeling dull.
Have you raised the overall level then?
Yes, I took one step back in sprinting, but I took five steps forward in other areas.
What did you work on in particular?
A lot in resistance. Most of my training hours are in high Z2 in winter and medium Z2 in summerThis is due to the high temperatures.
When you say many hours, what do you mean?
That when I'm in competition season I do: run, recovery and run, with fewer hours of training, between the 15 and the 18. At home, In preparation I put together 25-30 hours of cycling. With a lot of Z2 and some specific work.
What will the goal be for 2024?
I haven't spoken to the team yet, but I can tell you mine. The main aim is to make a more important calendar, not that I have done minor races but I would like to do more: the Northern Classics of the category and the Giro Next Gen, eg. And then I would like 2024 to be my last year as U23.
Why?
Because I have a two-year contract with the team and I'd like to move to the professionals at the end of next season. At the end of 2022 the goal was to spend three years as an under-23, now I have lowered this barI realized, in the late-season races, that I'm strong even among the pros. I did a few races in Belgium and did well. Clearly I would like to pass by, but with the necessary precautions and in the correct manner, without hassles. Let's focus first on having a strong end to the season: I still have three races to go. Then we'll think about 2024.
