Hilary Contessa he's always busy. All Work Service There are many things to fix and put in place for this second part of the season and he's not one to back down.
«I was preparing things for this weekend – says Contessa just Pick up the phone – it's going to be full of competitions. The Marchigiana will be run on Saturday and the juniors will be involved in two races on Sunday: Strade Bianche and one here in the province of Padua».
The sports director, in love with cycling, he returned to Work after a two-year stint at Zalf, with him we take stock of these first, intense months of racing.
Many podiums, few victories
«The team's season started well, we've had a few too many podiums and a few too few victories – he says laughing – but I'm satisfied. The Tour of Sicily was superWe did really well. We achieved a great placing with Venchiarutti in the third stage, which Miholjevic won. In the second stage with the arrival in Caltanissetta Lorenzo Ginestra placed fifteenth, I'm really happy for him, he's young and these results give him morale."
Venchiarutti's return to victory
Nicola Venchiarutti and Richard Lucca They are the two riders we had focused on at the beginning of the season. Now, after a few months, the first results have been seen, although there is still room for improvement.
«Venchiarutti started off well – says Ilario – won at Pontedera and placed in the Giro di Sicilia, after which he got a damn bronchitis that stopped him for a while. Better to have taken it now when it was in a "rest" period rather than at other times of the seasonThe next events he is preparing for are the Adriatic Ionian Race, the Italian championship and then he will compete in the Mediterranean Games with the national team."
«The victory did him good, At the beginning of the season he had some hesitations due to his lack of habit of winningHe's unlocked himself and that's given him the right morale. He's happy with us, he wouldn't have expected it himself, even though we're a continental team, we work hard and with great professionalism. It is clear that compared to previous years it has taken a step back but with us it is always under direct supervision by Drone Hopper».
Lucca will grow
Another one who smiles, maybe a little less, is Riccardo Lucca, he and Ilario met again at WorkThere is a feeling between the two, Riccardo works hard and waits for his moment, which will arrive…
«When I said he had too many podiums, I was referring to him a little bit – says Ilario, laughing again – he's missing the victory to crown the work he's done so far. At Montecassiano he was in good shape but he was unable to assert himself and at Monte Urano he found a very strong young man, Raccani.. With the heat he takes inspiration and manages to give the best of himself, I believe in him."
«It's a shame he wasn't called to the Mediterranean Games, Lucca has always done well in time trials. He also placed well in the Italian championship a few years ago. For him too, the racing programme includes the Adriatica Ionica and national championships, on the road and in time trials. The De Gasperi and Giro del Veneto will also be running, where in 2019 he won a stage wearing the Work jersey».
Space for young people too
The under 23s are also in the thoughts and plans of the sports director, The program for them is busy and the Giro d'Italia Under 23 is approaching., a beautiful stage.
«We are preparing the Giro with the under 18s – says the busy Ilario – they will soon go to Pordoi and spend a few days thereOnce they get off, they'll do the De Gasperi and then it starts. A race like the Giro is nice to do if you go prepared, we are not up to the level of the squads that will fight to win but we will be thereWe were also proactive at Recioto, Belvedere and Piva."
And the eternal Rebellin?
Davide Rebellin will retire at the end of the season, as he announced. His recovery from injury is progressing, and he seems ready to return.
«David – says Contessa – is ready to start his season, he too should run the Adriatica Ionica and then the Italian championships, he would like to stop on that occasion. Let's say he has those 4 races that he would like to do to close his careerHis recovery went well, but he's apparently lacking some muscle volume in his injured calf. Now he'll need to work on his race pace, but those are the final details. He wants to have fun and enjoy the last few races.
A personal opinion
It's always difficult to self-assess, there's a risk of over- or under-estimating, but we're still asking Ilario for an initial assessment of his return to Work, without pressure.
«Usually the outsiders comment – he urges us with a joke – but I think I worked wellI feel good with the team. We need to look ahead to the next few years. I think I have given a new verve to the team, I hope my help is well appreciated.I still consider myself young for the role I hold, I'm only 37 years old and interacting with former pros or high level elite is stimulating and you learn from each otherIf I had to make a comparison outside of cycling, I'd define myself as Sarri or Mourinho. I'm not talented in sports, but with enthusiasm and hard work I've made my way up. I started at the very young age and have gone through all the categories. I hope one day to make the leap I'm missing!
