Un third place at Tour of Friuli which supports a path of constant and judiciously undertaken growth. David Toneatti, in his first season on the road, achieved his best result (so far) since he temporarily stepped down from his cyclocross bike. The Friulian, who plays forAstana Qazaqstan Development Team he managed to collect in front of his home crowd a podium (photo in the opening Bolgan) that should not be underestimated.
As mentioned, Toneatti is in his debut year in this specialty and after having gained experience in three stage laps, Giro d'Italia Under 23, Tour of the Aosta Valley and Tour of Alsace, he managed to find a team and climb the rankings. His year with the Kazakh team was expected to be an experience to begin a journey to see if the talent he saw on the mud could also be transferred to asphalt. The first answer has arrived.
A positive year
Astana has opened its doors to 2001 class to test on the road until the end of the year, as well as his contract which currently expires at the end of 2022. Davide however does not seem worried, he sees himself in a constant growth that has brought him here with a progressive condition and many lessons learned to treasure. Third in the overall standings of the Giro del Friuli. behind Nicolò Buratti two seconds behind and Belgian Emiel Verstrynge three seconds behind, is a remarkable litmus test. The year's results are positive, the cyclocross season is upon us, and the important events are approaching.
How do you assess this Giro del Friuli?
In my opinion it is more than positive, because as a team we went there with the goal is not to rank, but to put a few kilometers in your legs. Of course, I was motivated to do well, because it was my home race and I really cared about it, because I was passing right in front of my family.
Tell us a little about your feelings during the first stages?
I saw it right away in the team time trials that the sensations were good. If we then take into account that two of the guys on the team had never used time trial bikes before, coming from MTB, I can't complain. Because being with the national cyclocross team we were not all road cyclistsThe time trial itself went pretty well, better than I thought. The next day I knew the route well and I said to myself that if a breakaway had gone I would have triedIt was difficult for the group to keep under control, and so it was.
Then came the Zoncolan…
I had a good feeling that day too. The day before I had struggled to stay in the breakaway. But all in all my leg responded well and I tried to hold on as long as possible after that. in the last kilometer Lucca gave it a good boostI found myself with Verstrynge looking at me, because we were the two closest to the jersey at the time. From what he told me afterwards, he didn't know Buratti was that close. I tried to make him understand, but to no avail. We looked at each other a bit too much in the last kilometer and lost a few seconds. In fact, at the end of the stage, all three of us were within three seconds.
Are you disappointed to know that the overall victory was only three seconds away?
In the end, on one hand, yes, obviously, because there were possible scenarios to nibble them away. In hindsight, it's easy to say that if we had prepared the time trial a little more, maybe we would have won it would have been even closer.
Did the three stage races you took part in help you find a solution for this last one?
In my opinion, having done three stage races like the Giro d'Italia, the Giro della Valle d'Aosta and the Tour of Alsace helped me a lot. Because in Friuli I suffered much less from running for several days in a row. Which is something I struggled with in the U23 Giro, since it was my first and I had no sensations to measure up to. Then I think a week off after Alsace did me good. The first week of August I went a week without a bike. Now I still feel nice and fresh.
Do you feel you are suited to this kind of stage race?
Maybe it's a little early to tell. But having seen this improvement at the Giro del Friuli gives me confidence.
After a few months in a group, do you feel like you've found the right connection with the road?
I would say yes because I managed to find a good balance with my nutrition even after the race.At first, it wasn't so easy. Especially in stage races. I gained confidence in how to manage my recovery. At first, everything was new and I struggled. In one-day races, however, I never had these difficulties.
What are your next plans?
I'll be home for another five days. Then I'm going to race in the Giro della Toscana and the Coppa Sabatini, on September 14th and 15th, because they told me called up for these races with the WorldTour Team to gain experience with professionals.
Have you set any goals for this final part of the season?
I'd definitely like to be useful to the team. But I'm also curious about simple aspects that I still have to deal with. One above all. the use of the little radio that I have never usedAnd then I don't know exactly what races I'll do after these two, but anyway September is still all about the road.
You have already left with the preparation for cyclocross?
Not yet, I haven't touched the bike yet. I looked at the calendar and I still have to finalize it. The European Championship route is suited to my characteristics.I talked about it with my trainer. Claudio Cucinotta and we thought that we could go straight to the European Championship since I stopped in August and I can take advantage of the curve of this condition which seems to be good.
Are you really aiming for this European Championship?
Considering that it will be in a month and a halfor I consider it an achievable goal. The condition is there And I feel ready. There isn't that much difference in position between road bikes and cross bikes, which I perhaps felt more in other years when I switched from mountain biking to cyclocross.
How did you find yourself this year at the Astana Qazaqstan Development Team?
Very good, both with the team and with Orlando Maini who was the person I interacted with the mostI felt supported throughout all the events. I was hoping to achieve something more in July and August. Looking back, I can say I felt a bit tired from having pushed straight through the cross-country season. I arrived with my energy at the limit and I saw it. I didn't get any results but it served as experience.
What do you expect from next year?
I hope so to make something happen. Achieving some results. Taking advantage of what I've learned this year. From the races, from the experiences, from the mistakes I've made, and taking another step forward.
And what goals have you set for yourself in cyclocross?
Taking a mid-season break right after the European Championships, I think I can be competitive for January's Italian Championships, the two World Cup stages, and the World Championships. Being in my final year I would like to be seen internationally.
Have you already signed with Astana for next year?
I still have to signThe contract was for a year. I don't like to talk before I have something in hand, but I'm taking it easy and moving forward with my goals.
