In Bassano del Grappa, more precisely at the home of Marco and Davide Frigo's family, there is reason to celebrate as the two brothers have achieved their first victory in a long time. The elder of the two has made the victory his own. third stage of the Tour of the Alps, while Davide got his hands on the Montes Cup (in the opening photors.it).
«I was in the car coming back from Tour of the Alps – says Marco who is meanwhile packing his bags in view of his third Tour of Italy – together with a team masseur and I was watching the live broadcast of the race on YouTube. When I saw the rush he made in the last three kilometers I thought they would only see him again after the finish.He started with a full leg, a nice powerful action."
Double emotion
Marco Frigo He told us that he prefers working hard to celebrating. The victory at Tour of the Alps testifies that the work done so far is correct and encourages them to continue on the path they've chosen. He feels the same way about his brother; in the family, we don't indulge in excessive toasts and celebrations.
«I have to say – continues Marco Frigo – that I was quite emotional to see him win, I was sitting in the car with the connection coming and going, so I couldn't understand much. From what I saw he ran well, always in front and in the thick of the actionThere were still a lot of people in the final stages, and my brother is like me in the sprint: standing still. So he knew he had to come up with something, and he did well. Then at home as soon as we saw each other there was an exchange of compliments and little else».
Isn't Davide one to indulge in any particular celebrations?
No, no. If you notice, in the arrival photo, we have the same pose.
You said about yourself that you've never been a winner. Is Davide different?
It's starting to go strong now, starting this year. He has always performed well in competition but he is still maturing physically. and this thing makes the difference in the youth categories. There is still a lot of growth to be had and we're only at the first steps.
How much do you look alike?
Physically, a lot. He's maybe a little shorter, but he's still growing, maybe he'll catch up with me. I'll be honest, more than a few people have told me that they see in Davide what I was like as a junior.: like cycling positions and physical characteristics. I'm happy about that. because I believe they are also the qualities required by modern cycling, where a lot of power is needed both uphill and on the flat. The fact that they are similar is, I think, a question of genetics.
Did he follow in your footsteps and start cycling too?
There was certainly an influence, an involuntary one. I took my first pedal strokes at the age of nine., he only had two and he already found himself following me to the races every Sunday. Obviously I never pushed him to practice this sport too.Let's say that as in all families, it's easy for the little brother to try the older brother's sport.
And he liked it, since he is now a sophomore junior.
Obviously, one aspect that counts a lot is passion, especially at eighteen. This aspect has grown a lot in Davide in the last periodYou know, when you're a teenager, there are many things that can distract you or make you give up a sport that's demanding and requires sacrifice. Only passion keeps you on a bike and I think he has it inside himI see him reading, going to specialized sites, in short, he's interested.
Do you ride together a lot?
Now that he's a junior sophomore, sometimes yes. Also because I am the one who takes care of its preparationWe talked about it as a family and we wanted to do it this way. I'm studying Sports Science at university. For me, it's a way to put into practice what I read in books, and the family is happy. Then next year he will move up to under 23 and maybe things will change.But for now, sport should be fun.
Certainly…
I'm finally treating him like a junior from five or six years ago. Like when I was a junior. It's true that commitment is needed but we are still in youth cyclingThere shouldn't be any exasperation. It's not like I'm making him train like a pro. He's also very free with his diet; he doesn't have a scale to weigh everything on. I treat him as he deserves, the desire to become a professional must all start from him.I don't matter. I can give him the right support, but he decides which path to take.
What did you tell him after the victory?
That the important thing is the process, you have to feel good on the bike and be happy because you went fast. I told him that what matters is the attitudeIf they had caught him on the finish line during that attack, he should have been happy anyway. It's the performance that counts, the idea. The result is a consequence of many variables and we cannot always manage them.
We can't wait to meet him, you have to introduce him to us...
You'll know it, but no big headlines. Promise?
