LAIVES – We immediately asked ourselves: what is Alberto Bruttomesso doing at the start of the Tour of the AlpsA race famous for being nestled in the magnificent Tyrolean mountains, with plenty of elevation changes and little flatness. This year's riders experienced rain, cold temperatures, and a few snowflakes. In his first season among the pros, the former rider of the Cycling Team Friuli is measuring himself against the race pace and the high level of the Bahrain Victorious who deserved result after result.
Few sprinters
Experience is gained in the field, that's a fact. At the start of this TotA, Alberto Bruttomesso knew he had no aspirations of any kindHis speed characteristics certainly limit him in these races. From his point of view, however, he knows that to increase his engine capacity, experiences of this kind are essential.
«It's a good test bench – explains Bruttomesso – in the sense that There are few sprinters in the group here. It's a race that helps me get going. I tried to help my teammates as much as possible by getting them to the foot of the climbs. I'm happy. I'm on a path of constant growth and without pressure».
Difficult rhythm and days
Five days spent at a high-level race pace. Although the course wasn't particularly challenging, there was no shortage of elevation changes, as well as attacks and... revving up from the peloton.
"Overall," Bruttomesso says, "I can say I've felt the difference from last year to this year. The races are much more controlled, and when you open the throttle, you feel it and you go flat on your face. I'm happy with my start to the season, I did a good block of races in Belgium and I have to say that I really like them."
In the Austrian stage in Schwaz, the riders pedaled for 120 kilometers in pouring rain and temperatures close to zero. Hellish climates of the North which could be the ideal terrain for Alberto's power in the future. «I have to say that yesterday (the third stage in Schwaz, ed.) I have never suffered from the cold, I was well dressed and I had no problems from that side."
Nice weather
Twenty years is not enough, Finding an ideal climate within a WorldTour is crucial for natural growth of a guy like Bruttomesso. Bahrain Victorious is a benchmark in this respect and has shown it knows how to develop its riders by giving them the right amount of space. Milan and Tiberi are two examples.
«I feel very good – says Alberto – we have a great group, I had the chance to ride both with the classics guys in Belgium and with the Giro d'Italia guys here at Tour of the AlpsIn both cases I found a good feeling. I bonded a bit with everyone, I was a roommate of Tiberi, so I've bonded a lot with him these daysHe's a good guy, he's strong, he's nice, so that's great."
Near future
Having established that 2024 will be a year of growth, for Bruttomesso the calendar is certainly stimulating. After this Tour of the Alps In fact, the block of races goes straight up to the Italian championships. «Now I'm doing Frankfurt on May 1st, the week after the Tour of Hungary and then we'll see. Maybe I'll do the Tour of Slovenia and the Italian championships, then I'll have a period of altitude before the Czech Tour.
«My goal – he concludes – is to continue to grow and gain as many experiences as possible even for the next few years and maybe we'll see if we can bring home some good results. Without stress, I try to help the team when I'm told to do so and If I'm given the opportunity to get results I'll definitely give it 100%. in the races most suited to my characteristics."
