It's been a year since his great victory at the Eroica: today Mattia Proietti Gagliardoni he lives it as a spectator, after having passed the threshold of the category jump and having arrived at the I have to team up of Movistar, but he still remembers well that experience in what is rightly considered the most original classic of the Italian calendar: «It's like our Paris-Roubaix», says the Umbrian rider.
Better rain than dry ground…
The Eroica calls together the best Italians and not only because many I have to team up will be at the start of Sunday's race and Proietti Gagliardoni is happy to be a witness to the event, introducing a race that alone is worth a season.
«It's a very important match – he explains – and above all you have to know how to interpret it. If the weather is good and dry, a lot of dust is raised, so it's essential to always run in the top positions. In no other match are mistakes more likely than in this one. You also need a good dose of luck, but you have to know how to attract luck and therefore you have to know how to interpret the match from a tactical point of view."
Proietti Gagliardoni also arrives at what may seem like a paradox: «The forecasts for next weekend are not the best, but I am convinced that a heavy, muddy terrain in this situation is even preferable to the lot of dust that I had to "eat" in the last editionThen you also have to take the numbers into account: it's 107 kilometers, 23 of which are on dirt roads and 2.000 meters of elevation gain, and the fatigue is making itself felt. In fact, regardless of how the race ended, I was left with the impression of the increasing tiredness; the last 40 kilometers were really tough.
The advantage given by cyclocross
The Umbrian rider, 11th the previous year, had taken the measure of the race, where he emerged in the tough final circuit, on the uphill dirt road of Sesta where he attacked with Matthew Rusconi (in the opening photo) but soon remained alone and finished with more than a minute's advantage: «I think that on that route having a certain familiarity with riding, having the experience that only cyclocross can give you is an advantage., because it gives you the chance to make a difference on dirt roads and this in the long run represents a significant help, in this case regardless of whether it's sunny or rainy."
After a year, much of that day remains in his mind: «It was a beautiful experience andthe joy I felt for the victory remained in my heart, also because it was the reward for a well-chosen tacticKnowing I had to wait, I didn't worry about what happened before, about the breakaways, but I had to stay alert, because the race was decided in the last two climbs, and I think that will be the case next Sunday too. The finale will be decisive, but we'll have to get there with enough energy and a clear head."
A month and a half of stoppage
Mattia would have also liked to see it up close, the race that made him a specialist, but these days he is in France, called somewhat at the last minute to compete to continue his first season with the Iberian team.
«I had started quite well – he says – especially by gaining experience with the senior team in the Arab countries by competing in the Tour of Oman, then I was also unlucky at the Milan-Turin because I was forced to retire when I was in the group and I had even thought about a good placingThen I was at the Volta ao Alentejo, I was preparing for the Liège for the Under 23s which I was particularly keen on, but afterwards I got injured and was forced to stop, I'm basically starting again with this French trip».
What was the experience like with the WorldTour team? The Iberian team made an original choice, catapulting him into the senior squad for all the early races: "There's so much to learn, and I tried to make the most of every single minute. In particular, I found a great Pygmalion in Nairo Quintana, who really gave me a lot in those days. Just being together, being able to steal every little secret with my eyes, was worth the trip…».
No Giro, there's the final exam...
For Proietti Gagliardoni the racing program is still in flux after a month and a half away from competitions: «My biggest regret is that this year I will have to miss the Giro NextGen because I will have my final exams during those days. I tried to ask to move it, I was even willing to bring it forward, but there was nothing I could do. It means we'll talk about it next year. In the meantime, there's a good chance I'll be at the Tour de l'Avenir, and that's already a positive sign, but in the meantime, I have to work to get back into the swing of things."
