Two talents united by the same team, theAutozai Contri but profoundly different from each other, in their characteristics and destinies. Lorenzo Ceccarello e Thomas Mariotto They are following parallel paths that see them shoulder to shoulder in the same races (the latest case being the Giro del Friuli which ended yesterday) but with different objectives. One, Mariotto is confident he will be called up to the national team for the Baron GP., the other, Ceccarello, ardently hopes to earn an Italian jersey for an important event., maybe on the track after having tasted it in some races in Germany.
The Giro del Friuli experience as protagonists
Two guys who started very early and who are experiencing a fundamental season for their evolution: «Things are going pretty well for me, I managed to get two important victories but above all I found great consistency, with 12 Top 10s. My last one at the Giro del Friuli, but the final stage didn't go as I'd hoped, between the rain and my poor nutrition, which meant I didn't finish as well as I'd hoped. But there'll be a chance to make up for it."
Overall, things had gone better for Ceccarello, who had achieved a prestigious second place in the first stage: «I have to say thank you to the team who did a great job in launching me into the sprint and in the end I was happy because it was a team effort.. All 'Autozai I found a solid group, that welcomes you right away, makes sure you don't miss anything. At the races we have three mechanics, a masseur, and they even bring five vehicles with them. It's a highly professional team."
Helping the team grow
Ceccarello is in his first year in the category, Mariotto in his second: «We started a growth path last year and we can say that it is slowly bearing fruit.I'm very satisfied, they're helping me improve, I know that a lot will change at the end of the year, we'll see what choice we make because my future will depend on it."
After his consistently strong start to the season, many have already approached the boy: «Yes, even foreign teams. The jump in category will be very important and therefore I have to make my evaluations and look for the team that suits me best to be able to grow.. Honestly, I'd prefer to go abroad because cycling is moving in that direction and I think it's the best thing to do if you have the opportunity."
Understanding What Kind of Runner You Are
A thought that doesn't affect Ceccarello for now: «I rely a lot on the team's sports directors because I know I still have a lot to learn. The transition from pupil to junior is not simple, it changes a lot in the way of running and there are mechanisms that need to be assimilatedI have a lot of trust in those who have more experience, who have been following guys in that category for years, they definitely know how to guide you."
One thing the two young men have in common is their desire to fully understand what kind of rider they want to be: "At this age, you still don't know what you are," Mariotto warns. "I'm a climber, but I can also hold my own on hilly and flat routes, and even in sprints. I look around and see rouleurs who go fast on climbs and climbers who only stand out when the slopes get steeper. We are in a category where it is not yet 100 percent clear what we are., so we cannot have a well-defined role nor know what we might have once we reach professionalism."
A strong sprinter, even in sprints
«I agree – says Ceccarello – also because we are still developing, at least I am. From what I see, I seem to be a fairly fast rouleur, who can aim for the sprints., especially on those paths that aren't completely linear, even if they aren't too bumpy. But everything is evolving and certainly needs to be completed as time goes by."
The differences between the two also emerge when looking at a reference model: «I have as a myth Van der Poel, because I like the way he rides, that touch of nastiness he always brings, every time he gets on a bike. It's that extra ingredient I want to have too, to turn second-place finishes into victories."
Attack from afar
Mariotto doesn't have a specific rider: "I like all those who aren't afraid to attack, even from afar. I often wait for the final climb to try and make the difference that way, but I like that racing perspective and I hope to be able to interpret it successfully., that is, going on the run not only to stir things up but to try to win from afar."
A common destiny of blue color
One is already expected to wear the blue jersey, the other hopes to get there as soon as possible. In a movement like the Italian junior one that produces many quality youngsters, capable of attracting the attention of agents and top teams, It's not easy to emerge but Ceccarello and Mariotto have every chance, knowing however that it will be later on that they will have to make a difference to ensure that everything does not remain a midsummer dream…
