When fate also plays a part, there's little you can do. Tour of England. Alessandro Iacchi of the Team Qhubeka he had made it the goal of the season. It's going strong, and what happens? Queen Elizabeth II dies. Race over.
The Tuscan from Rufina, just outside Florence, was well placed in the standings: ninth place and the first Italian in the standings. His legs were working well. And yes, the level was quite high. There were several WorldTour teams, many professional ones, and some continental ones like his own Qhubeka, led for the occasion not only by Daniele Nieri, but also from Simone Antonini.
Goodbye Queen
«In those days in England – says Iacchi – we watched very little TV because we didn't have much time, but It was clear that the Queen was unwell. During the first stage we also passed in front of the residence where she died, in Scotland.
«Before the fifth stage, the last one we raced, the news came out that things had gotten worse. At the end of the stage, While I was having a massage, the news of his death came. It was around 18 pm. I remember there was music playing in the hotel, and it was immediately turned off."
Nieri began searching for information about the continuation of the race, since even before the stage and his death, rumors had been circulating that the race would be stopped one day in the event of his death. No response. Only at dinner did confirmation arrive: there would be no race tomorrow.
«In the hotel there were also the Bora Hansgrohe, the Israel Premier Tech, the Kern Pharma…At that point, all a little more relaxed, since we wouldn't be running the next day, we met at the hotel bar for coffee. We chatted about the situation. Only at 22,30pm, when we were already in our rooms, did the final announcement arrive: the Tour of England was over there."
Running no, leg yes
So everyone went home. In a surreal climate. The English, Iacchi told us, apparently behaved as usual, however... There was a quieter air. Shops were closed for mourning, the music was turned off in hotels, and the TV, social media, and newspapers were talking about nothing else...
"We were in Manchester waiting for our flight home. So we walked around the city, and I remember a lot of shops were closed. There were signs with the Queen's birth and death dates."
But if the race ended there, Iacchi's desire to compete and run certainly hadn't subsided. In fact, with one leg in good condition, he was even stronger. Also because with the season winding down, he felt a sense of being caught in the crosshairs to secure a win.
"I was ninth in the standings," Iacchi says. "I started with some decent placings. I always finished in the first group. In the third leg, the toughest, I was in good shape. And so was my teammate. Parisians. Antonini told me I had to try to do some intermediate goals. Since the standings were so tight, with just a few seconds of time bonus, I could have climbed significantly. And so I did."
I had prepared well for this race. The Tour of England was important to me, since I have to find a team for next year. And it was important for the team, as we have English sponsors. Not to mention that it was a 2.Pro race. It's a shame because every day the leg was moving better».
Rhythms from WT
Alessandro Iacchi was born in 1999. He's one of those guys who takes a big risk in modern cycling, which is hungry for young riders (as if he weren't one).
The Tuscan is part of that batch of riders who turned pro with Covid. He was in the Vini Zabù queue. He passed through that cursed 2020 and raced very little for obvious reasons. The following year the season began, but the team was suspended due to De Bonis' doping case and everything was put on hold again.
«In two years – says Iacchi – I've done 40 races, if we consider that this year alone I've done 60… I'm a rider who has to run a lot to do well. You have to be consistent. And yet, that way, months would go by without getting a number, and every time it was like starting from scratch. It also got demoralizing.
"Instead This year, perhaps for the first time, I feel good precisely because I ran a lot. This is the first season I've had without any problems. I've achieved good results, only one victory missing…».
Iacchi is a complete rider. He can handle moderate climbs and can hold his own in a tight sprint. When he's healthy, he's not afraid of top-level races like the Tour of England.
«Yes – says the Tuscan – certain rhythms can be felt. When you race with the pros you feel the difference, but I'm fine. When the WorldTours are here, it's a whole different way of racing. The race is more controlled, and they're the ones controlling it. And when you go fast... you go fast!
«For example, right in England, one day the escape did not start: well, We did 150 kilometers in two hours and 40 minutes and there were 2.700 meters of altitude difference! Or on the contrary, the next day, to close in on the breakaway in the last hour, we did the last 50 kilometers at an average speed of 48 kilometers."
On the hunt…
First, Iacchi said that all that's missing is a win. He's in good shape, and the idea is to make the most of his form... also to find a team.
«Since I'm no longer under 23 – concludes Iacchi – I have to look elsewhere. Qhubeka will also play professionally, I spoke to them, but I'm still waiting. I don't have an agent and I'm trying to move forward independently. I hope to stay with them, because I feel really good in this team."
I have five or six races left to do something about. And they're all races that are quite suitable for me. Among them is the Pantani, even though I know the level there is very high. Just arriving in the first group wouldn't be bad. But the goal is to win, maybe even the other races I'll do... because the only thing I'm missing this year is victory."
