MARINA DI MASSA – The second stage, from Portofino to Chiavari, cancelled due to bad weather, allowed us to visit the hotels and meet the protagonists of the last Tour of Lunigiana. Among these there is also Andrea Bessega, Friulian from Borgo Molino who stood out for a strong first stage and a season with good results. He was a bit absent in the middle of the year, but it is not possible to always be present at high performance, and if bad luck also gets in the way, the die is cast.
«The season started very well – Bessega explains – in the first two races I had already achieved important placings. Then I got a bit lost and for a month I didn't see any continuity in the results.. The first victory It arrived in April and gave me a great morale boost. At the Eroica Juniores (also in April, ed.) I achieved excellent results with a second place in the last stage."
A good certainty
Bessega breathes this September air deeply, the contract with Lidl Trek Future Racing has allowed him to race with peace of mindNot having the anxiety of seeking results at all costs helped give him some more certainty.
"In the first part of the season," he continues, "the races weren't really suited to my characteristics. Usually, sprinters emerge in March. So I found myself giving a hand to my teammates, since I had already won and also the contract for next year. I made myself available. However, in national competitions it is never easy to stand out because if you are among the favourites you are man-marked. This certainty of the contract also helped me overcome a difficult moment during the year."
What?
Between the Italian championship and Valdera there was a month and a half in which every Sunday I was on the ground. Falling often doesn't help, it was difficult both mentally and physically. Besides the blows, there was the fact that every time I returned to the race I found myself back at square one. The victory of the Piva Junior Day gave me a great hand in getting back on track.From there I continued with other races until mid-August, when we went on retreat with the national team to Livigno to prepare for the Lunigiana and the world championships.
How did you feel when you came down from the hill?
In Livigno we worked well, putting in a lot of volume and many hours. I wasn't used to being on the bike so much but I think it will come in handy for next year. I think that in a I have to team up The hours and loads will be those spent with the national team. Once we got down, the sensations were good, as this Giro della Lunigiana demonstrated.
What ideas do you have for next year?
Signing at the end of 2023 was a positive move. During this whole season I never had the thought of proving because I knew I had a deal for 2025 and beyond (Bessega signed a two-year deal for I have to team up and two more with the WorldTour, for a total of four seasons, ed.).
Do you often talk to Lidl-Trek?
Yes, we are constantly in touch, not excessively but every now and then they ask me how things are going and we compare notes. The fact that I went with them on retreat in January allowed me to already come into contact with their world.It will certainly be a big leap; moving from an Italian team to a foreign one will already be a big step. If you want to become a professional, you have to do it this way.
There are two of your fellow countrymen in the team, the Milan brothers, have you heard from them?
I spoke to Matteo in January, both he and Jonathan ran in Sacilese, where I remained until I reached the junior category. I know them well. They told me that the climate is nice and there is everything needed to grow wellOf course, you have to prove you can run in those contexts.
Finally, a focus on the World Championships, as the World Championship week approaches…
It will be the most important event of the season. We went to see the route with the national team a few months ago, ZurichIt's tough, with a flat first section and a very tough final circuit. The climbs aren't very long, lasting 5 or 6 minutes at most. However, there is a steep one-kilometer climb at 10 percent., once that's over, another 4-minute climb begins, all at 6 percent.
What sensations did you have pedaling on it?
Maybe it's not very suitable for me, I'm not that explosive but you can always attack and stay out to stay ahead. Philipsen is the number one favorite but nothing is certain, you can always try to make things difficult for him.
