In our interview with Gianni Faresin, an interesting detail has emerged regarding a change in the regulations for continental teams. From 2023, in fact, In the regional under 23 competitions these teams will only be able to field first and second year playersA choice contested by Faresin himself and which raised some curiosity in us. We therefore conducted an investigation involving other sports directors: both continental and amateur teams.
The newcomers
For this category, scaling is relative. There are teams like Zalf who have given up on many elite players, at the same time, however, other teams do not consider these races as a field of interest. The example is the team Technipes-#inEmiliaRomagna that the 2023 becomes continental.
«In my opinion – begins sports director Coppolillo – we should only leave the distinction between under-23 and elite/under-23 races. There will be fewer and fewer participants and at this rate the regional races risk disappearing.In Italy, we have 45 teams, including Under-23 and continental teams, so there needs to be room for everyone. We won't be holding these competitions this year, as we only have one freshman. We will go abroad and compete in national and international competitions, those closest to our category.».
Different points of view
Opinions differ among amateur teams; the rule should protect them, preventing continental teams from sweeping the board in victories and placings.
«Everything should be unified – he tells us Tryouts of Florence Hopplà Oils – Things have changed. It's not a fair rule, but you can't have both. With the advent of development, those who have a continental team risk no longer having the space to race with the pros.At this point, what's the point of having a continental team? Especially if we don't have a WorldTour team to refer to?
«It's right like this – he's speaking Damilano of Ciclistica Rostese – if a team has the money to compete in the continental championship, it's right that it should compete in a different, high-level calendar. The regional races will be useful for the kids who still have to grow up to learnI've always encouraged my riders to do more and look further ahead. What's the point of coming to regional races and finishing in the top ten with six? This is not the way kids learn, they have to compete with higher levels to grow.If you want to develop riders, do important races. If your goal is to make the team win, then do local races."
Valoti and Scarselli
«Nothing changes for us – says Valoti, on the other side Colpack – We'll have a lot of first- and second-year players and we'll be able to compete in regional competitions. The problem with continental competitions is that it becomes difficult to participate in higher-level competitions, the budget increases, and the requests to participate in the international races it is not always accepted. I think that if we continue like this the level of under 23 players risks dropping further. also due to the few starters who will be at the regional races".
The central issue seems to be understanding the right placement for the continental teams and also seeing if and how the regional races will survive after this new rule. Valoti responds virtually Scarselli of the team Maltinti.
«I think it's correct – he immediately attacks – the continental calendar makes no sense, it has no dimension. I would have even made a greater restriction by preventing continental teams from participating in regional races.And I'll tell you more, I would limit their participation in national races to five or six continental races at a time. If you want to build a top-level team by taking the best riders, then go and compete in top-level races. leaving us smaller teams the space to do our job. Then, in Italy we have almost thirty amateur teams, excluding the continental ones, and there will be no shortage of riders at the races."
The words of “Tira”
The latest opinion we receive is that of Paolo Tiralongo, team sports director palazzago, a small town on the outskirts of Bergamo, a land rich in cycling.
«It's a rule that seems fair to me at least – he tells us on the phone – It's right that the first and second years of continental teams have the opportunity to compete in regional racesEspecially the first-year students, for them the category jump is felt, plus they also have school. From the third year onwards, however, If you are part of a continental team it is right that you go to higher level races. Otherwise, why would these teams exist?
«Regional races will not be affected by this rule – he continues – also because usually between 120 and 130 riders participate. It's true that there are fewer and fewer young people, but why are many teams closing down?This maneuver may even allow us to save some of them."
