OPFIKON (Switzerland) – The eve of the World Road Championships passes slowly, with rain pelting the windows of the Azzurri's hotel. Outside, the planes are taking off, not far from Zurich airport, making a great noise. The boys chosen by Bennati, at his third world cup from city, they go down to the hotel lobby and give various interviews. They pass in front of the RAI camera where Ettore Giovannelli tests their moods and smiles. The weeks leading up to the world championship were almost monopolised by the performance of Tiberi al Tour of LuxembourgBut among the Italians there is not only the Ciociaro ready to do battle, Giulio Ciccone's joy and determination can also be heard in the general din.
The rider of Lidl Trek He's sitting at a table, hidden behind a wall adorned with carved wooden designs. With him are members of the American team's staff. We talk about this and that, but the main topic is the final circuit in Zurich, to be repeated eight times and which will take no prisoners.
A month later
Ciccone withdrew from the Vuelta on the tenth stage, on August 27th. Today, more than a month later, he returns to racing and will do so with a tough and demanding raceThere are plenty of questions about his condition, but only he can know how he is, and we ask him.
«I'm definitely coming to this World Cup – he says in our face-to-face – in good shape. Let's say it wasn't an easy year, but the World Championship was a goal so I managed to work well.I've had good feelings lately and I've put a good amount of work behind me, so we're fine. Up until the Tour de France, everything was fine. pretty good, then after the Great Boucle I raced in San Sebastian and the Vuelta. I went to Spain with the aim of supporting the team and getting back into shape for Zurich.».
Retirement was a bump in the road, how did you overcome it?
The crash in the tenth stage forced me to go home, but the gaze has always remained towards the world championshipI took a couple of days to look after myself, as a preventative measure for my knee and to help heal some of the bruises. Once I was sure I was okay I got back on my bike. with a view to the world championship.
How is your knee?
Well, well, let's say that the two days after the fall I had a bit of discomfort, the situation was not well understoodBut then everything went well and I feel ready.
How does it feel to be here?
The World Cup is always the World Cup, so definitely there is extra motivation and it will definitely be a nice day. (Ciccone raced several times with the national team but the world championship was missing in his career, ed.).
On Friday you cycled on the path, what do you think?
It will be very hard due to the distance and the altitude, I think it will be a very nervous raceObviously there are no long climbs. However, the section with the first steep climb and the climb that follows, where the effort exceeds 10 minutes, they will make themselves felt.
Will that be the crux?
Yes. From that point on, the technical part follows with steep sections and descents, so there's never a real point where you can recover. You go up the hill and never go down for a few kilometers, it will be important to stay ahead and keep the pace high. Before the descent that leads to the lake there is a section with two steep sections and a technical descentIt will certainly be a tough World Cup and it won't be easy tactically either.
Why?
There is no linear strategy on anyone's part. I repeat, it will be tough, but we are ready and have the right spirit to do well..
What role will you have? Have you already discussed it with Bennati?
The idea is to be there in front and be ready.It's clear that we can't wait for the best players to make their moves; we'll stay there and try to come up with something.
The eight steps on that hard part we mentioned before are a lot.
Yup, we need to be a united group, move intelligently and always be presentThis is kind of the spirit we need.
Thank you and good luck.
Crepi!
