The voice is practically identical, so much so that you have the doubt of speaking with the older brother Lorenzo, Instead, it is Stefano Masciarelli who takes stock of his first year as an under 23The younger of the two brothers from Abruzzo is growing up and has learned a lot this season with Aran Cucine. The bike has been sitting in the garage for a couple of weeks, since he looked down on everyone from the top step of the podium at the Furniture Cup (at the beginning he wears the shirt dedicated to the winner).
"I'd been thinking about that race for a while," Stefano Masciarelli says from home, "because I'd heard a lot about it, and I was curious to find out what it was like. It is divided into two tests, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.The first was a long 30-kilometer time trial. The second was a 132-kilometer road race. The combined times would then determine the final classification. I finished the time trial in third place, while the road race in second place., that's how I won the overall."
A challenging time trial, was it your first time over such a long distance?
Yes, and it was pretty tough. I had already done a time trial but it was at Giro Next Gen and over a much shorter distance, less than 10 kilometers.
Were thirty kilometers difficult to manage?
Not much, I decided to follow a rhythm and kept it the whole time. Of course, I pushed for the last four kilometers without looking at the computer anymore, I was at full speedI also made a couple of mistakes, because I entered a roundabout the wrong way and wasted time. It wouldn't have changed much because I finished third two minutes behind the first, so that's good.
You've finished your first year as an under, how did it go?
All in all I'm quite satisfied. At the beginning of the year I didn't even expect to be able to feel well, instead I think it was a very positive periodRegardless of the results, I also performed well in terms of numbers. In the second part of the year I had some more difficulties, instead. After Giro Next Gen I was struck by a virus that weakened me considerably.
You split your time between national and international competitions. How did you find it?
It was a great way to approach the under 23 category. Actually I also ran a lot of regional races, in the end they are useful for finding the rhythmI managed to achieve excellent results in the national competitions. I think things are going strong everywhere now., only that in international races there are many more high-level riders, consequently it becomes difficult to stand out.
How did you find Aran Cucine?
Very good, my father and uncle also raced here, so we know the environment and the team well. I think it was a positive thing, as was knowing some of my teammates.
What's the one thing you're taking away from this first year?
Maybe I've become a little more aware of my abilities. I saw that if I'm well I can achieve some results. Furthermore the team has made a complete calendar, with important races where I had the opportunity to gain experience and test myself against the strongest riders in the world.
Which race did you enjoy the most?
Il Giro Next Gen, for the type of race and for the fact that it seemed to be that of the greats. In short, having RCS organize a race doesn't happen every day.
What kind of winter will it be? According to you Pope and yours brother At home you're the one who likes cyclocross the least.
I like it as a sport, but I don't think I'm too suited to running in the mud. I'm missing something on a technical level, for example jumping over obstacles while staying on the bikeI usually do some races just for passion and fun, but I prefer the road.
Have you thought about what you'll do?
This year I'll focus more on preparing for the road season, especially considering the change of team.
Where will you go?
Next year I will run with la SC Padovani Polo Cherry Bank, a big leap because it's a continental team. But I feel ready to take this new step, 2025 was very useful to me and now I would like to test myself in races abroad too..
