His given name is that of the philosopher Kant and he has shown us his idea of running in this glimpse of 2023. Immanuel D'Aniello opened the season with an important success at the Gran Premio La Torre which relaunches him on his growth path, also chasing away some bad thoughts that came to me twelve months ago.
Last February, the 21-year-old from Sant'Antonio Abate had to be careful of every draft. due to a COVID-19 related issue. Instead, a few weeks ago, he won the Tuscan race in the midst of a mild winter storm that accompanied the riders throughout. At the moment the rebirth of D'Aniello (opening photo by Pagni) it is also happening thanks to the Trevigiani Energiapura Marchiol He arrived this year from Palazzago. However, he, who has lived with a suitcase under his arm since he was a junior, doesn't forget to return home, where he also wants to help out with the family business.
Immanuel, what did the victory at Fucecchio represent?
It was a great emotion, a double satisfaction. I immediately thought about the health problems I had. In one year, I went from not being able to leave the house to winning in incredibly cold weather, almost snowing. I worked hard during the winter because I wanted to start strong, and for now, I'm doing it. For this I have to thank my trainer Pino Toni who has been following me since last DecemberThis success is a starting point that gives me morale. I never thought I'd be celebrating on the podium like my idol Kvaratskhelia does (he smiles, a Napoli fan, ed.). I dedicated the victory to my family and the team. They are the ones who, for different reasons, helped me.
What happened to you last year?
It was a totally different season from the previous one. In 2021 I had gained experience, competing in the U23 Giro. But at the beginning of 2022, I contracted COVID. I didn't run for many months. I even stopped running for 40 days due to the onset of pneumonia.I went through a really difficult time. As I mentioned before, only a few people, primarily my parents, were there for me. I was hoping for more psychological support from some friends and my old club. Now things are better and I don't think about it anymore..
What thoughts did you have at that time?
I wasn't afraid to stop cycling, but I thought more than once that I could never go back to the way I was before.I was also struggling with my heart. Luckily, my family doctor monitored me during those weeks and helped me get back on track. Already at the Giro del Veneto (between the end of June and the beginning of July, ed.) I finished in eleventh position and third in the youth rankings, even though I wasn't 100 percent. There I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel..
How do you manage travel between Veneto and home now?
I'm a little further away than I used to be, but I'm used to it now. Last year I traveled from Palazzago. Even as a rookie and student, I always raced outside the region. Then, as a junior, I moved to the LVF in San Paolo d'Argon., in the province of Bergamo, even though I had decided to finish high school in Sant'Antonio Abate. Now I travel by plane or train and it doesn't bother meIt's just a matter of finding the right environment. When I have to take a break, I try to come back home to help my father Paolo with his business.He is the owner of a sports knitwear factory (Daniello Sports Wear, ed.), specialized in cycling clothing, and I am one of the partners. I test his materials, give him feedback, and monitor his advertising on social media.
How are you getting on with Trevigiani?
Very well. I have been living in Montebelluna for about three weeks with two other friends and I feel really comfortable.I'm getting to know the areas of the big international races. I often train with my companions on Combai, trying to memorize all the roads. When I heard that Trevigiani had contacted me, my agent (Massimiliano Mori, ed.) and I immediately talked about it. And I immediately knew I'd made the right choice as soon as I met the entire staff. Luciano Marton, Franco Lampugnani, Mirco Lorenzetto, Francesco Benedet and also the president Hector Renato Barzi They were all available to facilitate my integration. Considering the team's history, I think we deserve an invitation to the next U23 Giro. I hope it can be so.Meanwhile, to gain the organizers' attention, we'll have to keep winning and getting results.
Are the goals those international competitions you mentioned before or are there others?
Run races like the Piva, Belvedere San Vendemiano is a great inspiration. So is Recioto, even though we're in the province of Verona, or many other similarly caliber wines. I would like to do well in many of these but I also want to put myself at the service of my teammates in races that are perhaps less suited to my characteristics.It will depend on the situations that arise but the idea would be to remain among the U23s also in 2024. This is a formative category from a psychological and tactical point of view. I would continue my growth process.
And what is Immanuel D'Aniello's running philosophy?
I'm not a wait-and-see type, I like to go on the attack often.In fact, I like the latest generation of riders who know how to put on a show even from afar. I follow the instructions my sports directors give me, but for me, the rider must know how to interpret and read the race. In fact, sometimes you just have to invent something new. I'm a rouleur-climber who doesn't mind a finishing touch. In Fucecchio I won by starting on the counterattack on the final climb after we had caught up with my teammate Zurlo on the run. At that moment I followed my instincts. Sometimes to win a race you have to risk losing it.
