At the Olona Rowing Center there is a private room that Garmin used as a meeting place for journalists and guests at the event you are attending we told. Inside this little room, sitting on a sofa, there is Alessandro ballanThe discussion starts from the rollers we are going to test and The 2008 Varese world champion talks about the evolution of these systems.
«When I ran the Northern Classics – says Ballan – smart trainers didn't exist and you had to train in all weather conditions. I had some classic rollers made by hand but I only did half an hour or forty minutes at most., without any specific work. I also had a "cycle mill" with which I was able to do strength training and some work, but I lacked data control."
The first experiences
In the interview made with Filippo Gana the theme of experience in the Northern Classics had emerged. Taking advantage of the presence of Ballan, let's address the issue with him tooAlessandro talks about how his experiences helped him emerge.
«In this kind of race – says Ballan – It takes a lot of experience: knowing the routes and the crucial points is fundamentalKnowing where the selection will take place or the stretch in which a rider it could go offIf you end up in thirtieth place at that point, you're not out, but you're wasting a lot of energy.
«I paid dearly for mistakes like this in all the races in the North, but especially in Roubaix.For me, that was an unlucky race. In the first three editions I took part in, I fell six times. At first, I hated it, I didn't like it, but when I got my first third place (in 2006, ed.) I realized it could be for me. Unfortunately I had some episodes during my career that prevented me from running it consistently and I was never able to find the rhythmIt is also true that over the last few seasons we have had some "white flies" such as Colbrelli which in the first edition is managed to win itI can't explain this – he says with a laugh – if I look at that result I tell myself it's impossible."
Many phenomena
Phenomena, or at least great champions, who have achieved important results in their first participation in the Northern Classics, do exist. Just think of pogacar, the Slovenian made a real fuss last year and almost won the Tour of Flanders.
«They are riders, especially Sonny – says Ballan – who arrive in great condition. Even if, I have to be honest, If I had arrived at my first Roubaix with the same condition as in Varese 2008 I would never have thought I could win.
"These races require knowledge of the course and luck. Because it's not just one point, but many, you have to stay focused. Doing the races beforehand helps you learn the course. Il Flanders It will take the routes of E3 Harelbeke, De Panne, Waregem (now Dwars Door Vlaanderen, ed.). You get blocked from other sides, but playing those games helps a lot. It helps you get to know your opponents, to understand who's doing well. You can study them."
The reference points
When the roads you race on are two meters wide and a wrong turn could cut you off from the fight for victory, then you have to find reference points.
«Those are very important – specifies the former world champion – knowing where you are helps. On the handlebars you have the list of walls and when you read a name you have a reference. For example, you know that at the end of that wall there will be the train station."
"The differences between Flanders and Roubaix aren't that great. You have to think of the cobblestone sections of Roubaix as walls. You arrive at full speed, you drop in speed and you exit the sector going really slowly.If you are good you can "float" on the stones and not lose speed.
«The most difficult sections of the Roubaix are the Arenberg Forest and the Carrefour de l'ArbreThe forest is straight but it climbs, even if only a percent or two, but you can feel it, and you have to be strong to avoid getting stuck. The second section, however, has some killer curves. And to avoid falling, you have to know how to ride the bike very well.
The Kingdom of the Belgians
Flanders is the kingdom of Belgian cyclists. Those born and raised on these roads have an unparalleled knowledge of them. It's difficult to compete with riders like that, especially if they also use cunning..
«On the Oude Kwaremont – Alessandro explains – The Lotto and Quick Step riders put their plan into actionAt the foot of the wall, the instructions the riders receive on the radio are the same for everyone: stay ahead. So you find yourself with two hundred riders sprinting to get to the bend before the wall. Then usually the five or six riders in front would slow down (those of Lotto and Quick Step, ed.) and once they got onto the cobblestones they slowed down even moreWhen the last ones put their foot down because the speed was too low, they took off at full speed, so the people behind were forced to make an inhuman effort to keep up."
Driving ability
This detail, which is not really that special, should not be underestimated. The ability to ride a bike is essential to emerge from difficult sections and situations that arise.
«Dario Pieri comes to mind – says Ballan – he had an incredible ability to drive on the cobblestones. I have seen few like him: Franco Ballerini, Go, Museum, BoonenThey are riders who could float.
«There is an anecdote about Lefevere, back when I was racing. At every Roubaix he would stand on the third section of cobblestones and watch the first forty riders emerge. Based on the movement of their shoulders and arms, he could tell which riders were doing well. and that they were able to make the difference in the final. This is to make it clear that it is a style."
«Another detail: I have always seen that those who come from other disciplines, whether track, BMX, cyclocross or mtb, has another ability to ride the bike. When they fall, they manage to handle the bike differently than someone like me who has only raced on the road.They have courage and a different familiarity, Van der Poel e Van Aert I am an example."
How much the mind counts
In races like this, the head makes a big difference, the mind plays a key role between victory and defeat.
«It's true – Ballan says – When you get beaten at the first few appearances, you mustn't give up.This is already a first selection; there are riders who, after their first Roubaix or Flanders, throw in the towel. I spent the final part of my career involved in the (Lampre) investigation that kept me on the line for six years. After Varese, mentally speaking, I wasn't free; my thoughts were constantly occupied with court, lawyers... I couldn't spend the last years of my career as I would have liked, Ballan was there but his head wasn't right.».
«After being acquitted, I made a statement in which I said: “It would be enough for me to have back the hours of sleep I have lost in these six years.” I understand pantani, because I found myself in the same situation. Luckily I was already married, I had children and some fixed points on which to move forward.If I had found anything at that moment that didn't make me think about my problems, I would have taken it. My family saved me."
