BASILICANOVA – Parma is about twenty minutes away. Behind the hills, down there, lies an enchanting valley where the finest hams are produced. The 58×11 study We recognize Malori from the shop window and we will hardly forget him, since before we left, a traffic warden saw fit to give us a ticket for exiting the parking lot the wrong way. We were guilty, we must admit, but he was adamant.
After the usual barrage of jokes, Malori leads the way (opening with Fabrizio Pasolini and Nicola Percivaldi, the owners of Bikes Rule, of which Malori is a testimonial). The environment is dominated by some of his photos as a riderYou understand from every word that the speech is interrupted by that 2016 accident in Argentina you keep floating in the air. His second life requires equally dedication and commitment and in a short time the 2008 U23 time trial world champion has built himself a position. Trainer for amateurs, but also for the juniors of Nial Nizzoli, because he continues to keep a foot in competitive cycling, with the prospect that perhaps some bigger team will come knocking on his door one day. In the meantime, we'll take advantage of his experience, with i many wonderful insights into what's happening in the group.
«I started doing this job – he says – in September 2017I used to work for a mechanic, then in 2018 I started my own business. And after a stint in another place, I moved here. I never would have thought of it without that accident. As long as I was running, even for the last race, I never wanted to consider a plan B. I just wanted to get back to running. But the day I stopped, we were in Ponferrada, and there was a bar down the road. I drank a couple of beers and called Zabala, my coach at the time at Movistar».
What did you have to tell him?
A few words. I told him: «Teach me how to be a trainer, because it's the only way to not lose my background». It occurred to me that it was the best way to pass on to others the technical knowledge that I had not been able to use due to the accident.
Does being called Malori act as a lure?
Certainly, yes. At first, many were clearly attracted by the name. Now people come from outside too, because they have heard about how I work.. And I find that very rewarding.
Have you abandoned biomechanics and moved on to preparation?
I still do both, but Training is the part where I am strongest: when I train a boy, I identify with him and try to imagine the tasks I give him, as if I had to do them myself.How I feel. Sensations based on cold and heat. The paths I'll work on, why? My job has given me the fortune of knowing the routes throughout ItalySo I can give directions to a client from Trentino to Piedmont, Umbria, Sicily, Puglia—wherever cycling has taken me.
When you open a center like this, you work with riders, but also with amateurs. What changes?
In fact, I coach mostly amateurs. I also have a good number of under-23s, juniors, and a few girls who race on continental teams. The important thing is to be clear about the differences, which exist and are significant. Not so much on individual workouts, but recovery certainly changes a lot. While a continental athlete can do an intense workout for three days straight, an amateur can only do it once and then needs recovery. The skill of the preparer lies in being good at calibrating everything.
What do your juniors need instead?
Of few words and above all clear. Besides the athletic aspect, I try to keep them on edge on a motivational level.I would like them to run without suffering the race, thinking instead about how to put their opponents in difficulty.
You mentioned your background, and you're actually a spokesperson for a bike company, another for insoles, helmets, and eyewear. Let's just say your experience is appreciated, right?
And that makes me very happy. To be respected in the community, even though I stopped riding almost 10 years ago. Otherwise, I still ride my bike, a couple of hours at a time, always at full speed. I don't like walking, but despite everything, I've always loved going fast on my bike. I wanted to become the strongest rider in the world, I stopped before I could really try.
