LA SPEZIA – The 47th Giro della Lunigiana opens with two 50-kilometer semi-stages. The first starts in La Spezia and finishes in Fivizzano, climbing a climb just over three kilometers. The powerful action with which Jarno Widar, Belgian junior national champion, detached himself from his opponents' wheels made an impression.. On the climb that leads to fivizzano The first time they pass, Widar has already taken the measure. So, when they face each other for the second time, the decisive one, the Belgian already knows what he has to do. He is on the wheels of his opponents, who in the meantime attack and butt each other, he comes out in the last 300 meters and easily outwits them, so much so that at a certain point he half-pedals, unsure whether to stop completely or push a little further.
Double in the afternoon
A few hours after his victory in Fivizzano, Widar once again knocks on Lunigiana: in the second semi-stage, the afternoon one from Massa to Bolano. This time the final climb has gradients that hurt just to look at. We consistently go into double figures, for all three kilometers, with the last 300 meters being dizzying. The green jersey, the leader of the general classification, emerges from the final bend; this time Widar has left everyone behind. He raises his arms and incites the crowd, when the road under his wheels still rises and invites him to push further.
The fate of the winners
Jarno Widar has the attitude of a shy Belgian, small and slim, with thin but powerful legs, so much so that it often leads him to raise his arms to the skyIn 2023 alone, he can count eleven victories, including today's. His relationship with cycling was natural, born at a young age and continuing over the years, for a man born near Liège.
"I started cycling when I was little," he tells us in the shadow of the Belgian national team's minibus, "in my local team. It didn't always go well, given my physical characteristics I grew up later than othersI grew little by little, year after year. First by winning some minor races, only last year I managed to achieve more important goals, like that of Nokere-Koerse».
The turning point year
Jarno Widar officially broke out this year, with many successes, some of which reveal the boy's qualitiesHowever, two important results stand out: Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne and the Tour of Flanders, both races won solo. In Kuurne, in fact, the lead over the second-placed rider was almost two minutes..
«I'm a rider who is good on all types of terrain – he continues – Winning such important races this year has given me a lot of morale and confidence. I realized there were no limits to my possibilities. I won on the rocks and in the mountains at the Classique des Alpes. I think it was the greatest victory, the one that gave me the most satisfaction. In Belgium we don't have long and challenging climbs like those you find in the Alps. So going out of my country and winning on such a different terrain sparked something in me. Instead, a success on the stones is special, but much more normal for meWinning the national title was also a great joy, wearing this shirt is special."
Grand season finale
In August, the young Belgian raced in the world championship in Glasgow, but had to withdraw due to a technical failure. While, in the following weeks he came to run in Italy, in the Bergamo area where he came second in the Pietro Merelli Memorial, while the following day he won the Paganessi Trophy. Two races that helped him get ready for this Giro della Lunigiana.
«I raced in Italy for the first time this year – Widar continues – first at the Eroica Juniores but it didn't go well. Instead, I'm reaping a lot this August. Unfortunately, I was unlucky in Glasgow; I had a mechanical failure at the wrong time. The goal is to make up for it at the European Championship and if I arrive in this condition I can do really well."
Jarno Widar is a second year, this means that next year he will leave the Crabbé Toitures – CC Chevigny Junior, his current team, and will move up to the under-23s.
«I will go to run in the development team of the Lotto-Dstny "We'll see how the first year goes and then we'll figure out which path to take. I'm not sure what to expect either. Maybe I'll focus more on the uphill finishes, but we'll figure it out as we go."
