We should learn to pronounce his name and it's not easy! The boy we're talking about is called Martin Svrcek, he is a junior and runs in the ranks of the Franco Ballerini, directed by Andrea Bardelli. He arrived in Italy this year and practically swept away the competition with eight podiums in nine races. With Alberto Bruttomessi e Dario Igor Belletta the spoils of the category are being shared out.
At the Strade Bianche
The day before yesterday the young rider was testing the Strade Bianche. Tomorrow the first edition for the juniors will take place, from Siena to Montalcino, and it could almost be a micro anticipation of what will happen a few days later with the pros of the Tour of Italy.
«It's a route that I like and it seems very tough to me – Svrcek tells us returning from the inspection – It's a really nice track with beautiful views but I think it's the most difficult I've ever raced on.There are a lot of climbs on dirt roads, but I think the wind will also play a big role.
«I like climbing, but if you ask me if I'm a climber I'll say I'm not sure what that is. I think in the junior category you have to be everything».
Few but confident words from the Slovakian, who already seems to know what he wants.
From hockey to cycling
His cycling journey began by chance. One summer, cycling burst into his life as a means of preparation for what was his sport at the time: hockey.
«I played ice hockey, One summer I was riding my bike for training, but I realized that maybe I liked it even more than hockey. For two years I combined both sports and when I was 13 I decided to practice only cycling».
Ice hockey, then skating, then great balance. Martin has certainly developed great proprioceptive skills, a bit like if he had gone mountain biking and one could almost venture a comparison with the past of Roglic.
In the footsteps of Sagan
Martin comes from Zilina, the village of a certain Peter Sagan. And when he started racing he did so with the Academy of the three-time world champion.
«Peter is clearly my idol, he is Slovakian like me and he is the best cyclist in the world! I met him when I was at his Academy. I don't have a photo here on my smartphone, but I have one at home."
Everything seems easy for Martin. Great power, ease of movement, and results are coming. Even though he had some difficulties in the first race. According to Bardelli, it was because our style of racing was a little different. "A little too professional, and maybe that's not a good thing," the Tuscan sports director commented, "but that's how it is. Svrcek, on the other hand, was used to running in a more Garibaldian way."
"True," he replies, "but nothing major. It's just that everyone was watching me, and when I attacked, they chased me. When they attacked the others, no one followed them. But then I understood better." And in fact, from the following matches, the team began working for him.
His teammates appreciate him, also because Martin, despite still speaking little Italian, tries to make an effort, of being together, of sharing. He's convivial. For example, he shares the prizes won at races, even if he's the one who finishes.
«I feel really great in Italy, everything is perfect. I also like pizza, but for me the best thing is coffee and ice cream, especially the pistachio one."
A word from sporting director Bardelli
But how did Martin end up in Italy? Bardelli explains.
«I was on the internet looking at the arrival orders from abroad – says the coach – something I do often. And I had noticed this boy who was already doing well as a student. In those parts the student competitions are already of a good level and so through Stojnic (the pro of Vini Zabù, a team close to Ballerini, ed.), also Slovakian, we started contacting him. It was around November 10th, and we basically did everything in 5-6 hours. He had reached an agreement with another team, but when we offered to come to Italy, he immediately changed his mind.
Now Svrcek lives in Rufina, in an apartment that the team took for him, he is with Alessandro Iacchi another pro at Luca Scinto's court. The two practically always go out together and They also help each other to make the rear engine: one time one drives and the other time it's the other's turn.
"It's a great effort for us at Franco Ballerini," Bardelli explains, "but the Municipality of Rufina is also giving us a hand. It's worth it, though. Besides being very strong—I've never had anyone like him— he's also a golden boy. He never complains, he knows how to adapt, and he's very committed. If some agent doesn't mess around with him too much and doesn't get burned, he could do very well. Look at how it went with ours. ponomar who is now at the Giro."
