Mattia Gaffuri's arrival at Polti-VisitMalta It is not the result of chance. The Como rider, one of the pearls of the Swat Club which has so much broke the mold at the Italian championship in Gorizia last June, caught the attention of Ivan Basso and the team's staff. And he did it because of his numbers, first, and because of an approach based on method, discipline, and generosity that the Varese team is so fond of.
For Polti-VisitMalta, which in recent years has started an advanced scouting process based on data analysis and algorithms, as Basso himself told us, Gaffuri represents a profile in line with the philosophy of growing and promoting young talent.
We spoke with Basso to understand why he decided to give him this opportunity, what qualities he found, and what to expect from the boy in the coming seasons.
Early negotiation
«Taking Gaffuri – Basso attacks – was a decision that matured over time. For months, several informants and collaborators had been reporting Gaffuri's profile to me. I didn't just listen: we followed him closely through our analytics system, a project we've been developing over the past few years with algorithms and technological tools. His data showed extremely positive indicators, so much so that I decided to contact him at the end of May, before the famous Italian championship in Gorizia.
«I met him in my office and I found a serious, well-prepared boy with a high level of education. He told me about his journey, the passion with which he trained, his attention to detail. I had the feeling that our team was the missing piece to allow him to make the definitive leap in quality. So we decided to offer him this opportunity."
Basso explains how Gaffuri immediately responded well to the team, demonstrating a positive attitude and solid performance. This wasn't a given: Gaffuri entered a busy schedule, tackled new races, and made himself available to the team.
"Other teams had already taken note of his performances, but my intention was clear: I want to keep him with us. However, if he chooses other paths, I'll still have the satisfaction of having contributed to the development of a promising rider."
Gaffuri and work
Basso, as is known, was a workaholic and the thing that struck him about Gaffuri was his work ethic.
«Gaffuri – Ivan continues – he is an athlete capable of expressing values in training that are close to, if not superior to, those in competition. This isn't common: most riders only reach their peaks during races, while he manages to consistently prepare for them throughout the week. He's a master of method, paying attention to technique, position in the saddle, cadence, and breathing. He has a habit of paying attention to detail and demanding a lot from himself. As a coach and manager, I really appreciate this approach, because it coincides with my vision of professional cycling: training isn't just about accumulating hours, but working on the quality of every pedal stroke."
Physically, Gaffuri is a strong climber with clear room for growth. It's not easy to pigeonhole him now: he could be a leading climber or a medium-to-high difficulty stage racer. His versatility and determination allow him to set no limits. At this stage of his career, we are talking about a 1999 class, The most important message is to believe in it, dream big, and build your identity as an athlete step by step.
Not just a gregarious
His role as a trainer also helped him gain in-depth knowledge of the job. He knows what it means to suffer in training, he knows how to replicate competition situations with consistency and intensity. This is a huge added value, which translates into professionalism and awareness.
"It's rare," Basso explains, "to find riders capable of raising the bar in training, treating it like a laboratory for growth. Gaffuri, however, has demonstrated this aptitude, and that's also why I found myself in tune with him. I myself have a soft spot for the team's performance department: I like watching the kids while they work, following their details, correcting their gestures. Seeing the same care and passion in him was like recognizing a natural affinity.
«In his first races with Polti-VisitMalta, Mattia has already demonstrated his skill. Even though he was in the situation of having to emerge to gain a confirmation, he chose to put himself at the service of the teamIn Tuscany, in his first race in the rain, he finished fifteenth after helping his teammates. It was a strong signal: he wasn't just thinking about himself, but the good of the group. This, combined with his approach to work, shows he's ready for this environment. He can compete in top-level cycling. Between now and the end of the season, he'll be called upon to compete in many races, and he'll be the leader in some of them."
Try to hold it
One thing that intrigued us was how the group welcomed Gaffuri. After all, it's not often that a newcomer, especially one with an unconventional background, arrives and becomes the leader.
Even in this case, Basso has no doubts: «Mattia introduced himself to the team with intelligence and humility, earning the trust and friendship of his teammates.. A Polti-VisitMalta we choose the people even before the riders and he has integrated perfectly into the team spirit."
At this point, we're already wondering about the future, especially since Basso himself told us at the outset that several teams were (or are) on Gaffuri. So, will he stay at Polti-VisitMalta? And what are his prospects?
«I don't have a magic wand – replies Basso – but I believe such a determined athlete shouldn't set limits. He can still grow a lot, especially by learning to manage climbs on the run and making the most of the calendar he faces. He's a guy who's already come a long way to get to where he is today: if he continues to believe, he can achieve significant success.
«For us, no matter what happens, this is already a successful operation. If he stays, we'll have laid the foundation for a beautiful story. If he decides to change, we'll have the knowledge that we contributed to his growth. and his entry into the professional ranks. It's a source of satisfaction for me and my team, and for our sponsors too: it means our scouting work is working. In any case, Gaffuri has already left his mark. And that, in cycling today, is perhaps the most important thing."
