We feature Daniele Bennati at the BMX national team retreat in Padua, which we had the opportunity to tell you aboutBetween one starting test and another we manage to "steal" the first words and first feelings from the new national team coach. Daniele has always worn the blue jersey as a rider and he wears it with the same pride in this new role.There have been many commitments in these first few months, most of them institutional. We had left him in his house at the foot of the Alpe di Poti with a long list of names to contact, let's see what happened in the meantime.
Debut in Laigueglia
«These first weeks – Bennati tells us immediately – They helped me to understand the working method of the Federation, there were so many meetings. I started contacting some riders, the most representative ones for the next commitments, that is, European and World. We have also planned, together with the other technicians, the calendar of commitments for the 2022 season which will see my debut in the flagship on March 2nd at Trophy Laigueglia».
There are so many emotions and the desire to get started can be seen in his eyes, even through the lenses of his sunglasses. This new role is fitting him like a tailor-made suit., slowly, without too much haste: you need to be meticulous in every detail.
What did you say to each other in the numerous meetings you held?
It immediately emerged as the work must be transversal among all of us technicians (an example is this first involvement with the national BMX team, ed.). There must be continuous collaboration, in fact, already at Laigueglia I will field some guys who come from other disciplines such as track or MTB.
Yuri Zanotti, who had already done an internship at Bardiani, could be one of them?
Most likely he will be one of those who will make Laigueglia, nothing is certain yet but his will to continue on his path is very strong.
Do you already have other names for Laigueglia?
The idea of making the Italian calendar is to give young people the opportunity to confront the pros'. With Marino (Amadori, ed.) there is already this understanding and he will suggest me the names of the kids he wants to keep an eye on, but this year things get a little more complicated…
In what sense?
Since there are 13 continental teams in Italy, there are many boys, moreover I will not be able to call up WorldTour or professional riders when the teams are present at the event. Consequently, the circle is tightening quite a bit and putting the teams together won't be easy. Then with the Covid issue, I'm not saying that the teams are reluctantly giving up the riders, but until the last minute. there is always the unknown of a last minute call-up.
Instead, looking after this first date?
We will immediately go and see the European Championship route in Munich. It shouldn't be a complicated route from an altimetric point of view, the pitfalls will be more from the track point of view since it will be a street circuit.
We arrive at the European Championship with four consecutive successes.
It won't be easy to improve, nor to repeat ourselves (says the coach laughing, ed.). I don't want to be too cautious, but even if we don't win the European Championship, I wouldn't consider it a failure. What I want to conquer is the world championship, which Italy has been missing for 14 years.
Have you seen the World Championship route yet?
I have some very well done videos and footage, Australia has now reopened for travel and we should go and check it out between the end of April and the beginning of May.
Both courses will be for sprinters…
We have the riders we can rely on, Trentin is someone who can do everything and is an excellent leader in the raceHe knows when to take charge of the situation as captain or as “helper”.
Then we have the reigning European champion.
After 2021, Colbrelli showed that he is an important and very strong man, having run at those levels. But the European Championship is always an unknown.If you focus only on that, you risk not being 100% ready for the World Cup. Preparation for these events will need to be carefully planned.
We'll also have to see how the season evolves.
The key thing is that the season is going well from a health point of viewThe important thing is that all the important riders have a favorable season from this point of view.
