«Our credibility is fundamental – says Johnny Carera – you propose the rider, but it's as if you were proposing yourselfI'm not talking about the slacker, but about the athlete who, for valid reasons, has had problems. Try to find him a second chance, but It is essential that there is trust between him, the agent and the team manager.».
Thus begins the interesting journey into experience of the elder of the two brothers from Bergamo, who since 1998 have been among the leading figures in the complex universe of riders' agents: a world that includes former athletes, improvised figures, smart guys and many good people, in which For some years now the UCI has been trying to put things in order. The conversation with Carera, who as we speak is driving towards Antonio Tiberi's house and will have dinner with him as a family, focuses on a topic touched on a few days ago with Roberto Reverberi. Leaving aside the champions, young or already established, for once, we're interested in knowing How do you regulate for riders who Reverberi defined it as second-rate.
Is it right to divide them into bands?
In my eyes, especially at the start, they are all the sameSomeone who wins the Lunigiana (the leading stage race among juniors, ed.) has an excellent chance of becoming someone, but there are some who haven't succeeded and others, who placed in the top ten in the same edition, who have made their career. When you take a rider, the first thing to understand is whether he is a good boy and whether he can lead to a good dimension. But let's remember that Cycling is not for everyone and this is sometimes a difficult truth to accept.. Out of 5, 3 arrive, more or less this is the proportion. Pogacar won the Lunigiana and the Tour, others won the Lunigiana and disappearedWhat we do is study the situation as it is and imagine a path for each athlete.
Is the proposal to the managers also a technical one, or do you just dump the boy and say goodbye?
We talk to the team as mentioned above. We introduce the boy and outline his characteristics. I then like to follow them, because... I consider myself good with young people, so I don't leave them to their own devices.
How do you explain the rapid turnover in certain teams?
Let's take this year, with 15 new professionals. In theory there are many good ones, but also two or three that I don't know who they are.In the past they were double and strangers were a large portion of the totalIf you don't have the drive to stay at a high level, it's no surprise that you have to stop after two years. Teams, especially the smaller ones, look for good athletes, but with many more difficulties. Ten, fifteen years ago Reverberi could take Modolo, Colbrelli, Battaglin, Petaks, ciccone... Today, athletes of that level immediately end up on the WorldTour radar., who invest in young people regardless of how much they win as kids. Therefore The professionals are looking for the youngster who hasn't been excellent, but could have potentialAnd if they see that these characteristics are not there, they look for others.
It all seems a bit too fast…
There are lots of things to see, including the commitmentBeing a rider today is very hard, more than in the past, because the social context has changedA 20-year-old boy has a hell of a time doing three training camps on Teide and staying away for all the days of racing, maybe even in China, leaving his pretty girlfriend and all the comforts at home.
As officers, do you talk to them about these things, maybe even ringing an alarm if they get lost?
It's too easy to tell him that everything is fine.I've even broken contracts with famous people because I realized things weren't working out. I tend to tell them the truth. We say: better to blush today than to turn pale tomorrowWe are in a phase where we have to get there immediately, playing at our best every time, because you won't always get a second chance.
Are they listening to you?
If you love them, you have to be there for them. almost like a second father, but one who is capable of seeing the truthThe real father indulges them, I know because I have children too. We can't. And many, after certain clashes, have also thanked us.
Put like that, no one would ever stop…
If you go for a guy who has numbers and is a good person, it is objectively difficult for them to leave him on foot. If anything, at some point it might be necessary to relocate it, because ambitions need to be reviewed and he will have to settleWhen you're young it's different, then you grow up.
How do you manage a young man like Tiberi?
Antonio is very intelligent. He has built a strong bond with him. a growth path in an environment where he can learn quickly, with a reference such as Vincenzo Nibali, who in turn had Ivan Basso close to himStress-free, ready to do well. Tiberi is very focused. The relationship between athlete and agent is perfect when there's symbiosis. But I have to and want to stay behind the scenes and, if necessary, solve problems. I don't like people who want to show off.
Can your relationship with Vincenzo be described as perfect?
There are no words. I think we can talk about friendship, a family relationship that has been created over time.We've been together for 18 years (in the opening photo, I'm with press officer Geoffrey Pizzorni at the start of the last stage of the 2016 Giro, ed.), there's mutual trust and respect.
But if everything is so straightforward, why are riders who have no skill or talent allowed through, perhaps taking the place of those who simply need an extra year?
The problem is if someone doesn't behave well and perhaps promises things that aren't true, letting their clients grow up in a sea of liesThose who become strong never needed much talk.
