It caused a sensation Interview with Trine Hansen, Jonas Vingegaard's wife, to the Danish newspaper Politiken and released in the middle of the Tour de France. Hansen He criticized Visma-Lease a Bike quite harshly as regards the management of her husband, who in her opinion is too often away from home, but also not protected enough during the race.
An intervention that many it didn't seem very appropriate, at least in terms of timing. We contacted Giuseppe Martinelli, one of the most experienced DS in the history of Italian cycling, to talk with him about the not always easy management of the riders' families.
Giuseppe, what do you think about this matter?
First of all I would like to say that the sacrifices that riders are making now, I don't know if there are more, but more stressful Maybe yes. If you start going on retreat in December, then in January, then you climb a hill before the Giro, one before the Tour, It's difficult for a family that isn't used to cycling. What struck me was that Vingegaard arrived in top-level cycling somewhat by chance, and with him also his family: which plays an important role. His wife should think that Vingegaard is a champion who now has to make the most of these years and understand the sacrifices he and his family have made.
What struck many was the criticism of Van Aert, someone who really doesn't deserve it...
A Van Aert cannot be said for anything, in fact he is almost distorting himself.In my opinion, he runs too much for others. Even mentally, after a while, you become someone who runs for others and not for yourself. So yes, definitely. that was a wrong exit.
Have you ever experienced similar episodes?
I've met people who had a hard time separating from their families, but never had clashes like this. Maybe. some people preferred to train at home and not go to Teide, but not that the family intervened and was openly against it.
In the sense that the riders could decide whether to retreat or not?
No, no, in the end we always decided. Also because retreats also serve to build cohesion among the group, as well as for training. They help us get to know each other better, also because otherwise you'd only bring the leader. We need to bring people who make the captain feel good, including perhaps the friendliest mechanic or favorite masseur, for create an atmosphere to arrive at the appointment in the best possible way.
Could an interview like this at such a delicate time have consequences within the team?
He certainly didn't choose the best moment. But we're at a very high level, both the management of the Visma that the riders they are great professionals and they will have found the right words to get this wrong exit back in. Visma told me It seems like a very cohesive team, nothing ever comes out of them, they are good at handling issues internally.
So you feel like there's more stress now than there used to be…
Once this stress it was only in the big teams now instead it already exists among young people, almost like a junior, so it will always be heavier. 15 years ago only the big teams went to high altitude because they had the financial means. Now you can hardly find a place, because there are already juniors and if you do them for years then it becomes heavy on a psychological level.
So is there any truth to what Trine Hansen says?
In that sense, yes, unfortunately it is the current moment that exaggerates everything. Ultimately, top-level teams are companies.. And companies want to produce and earn more and more, but in the end riders are men, and when you squeeze them too much, they fall apart. Even the best ones.
The capitalism of cycling…
The only positive note is that Today they run a little less than they used toBut to get to the top appointments they have to make the sacrifices we talked about, while once you prepare yourself in the minor races. Now, however, that's no longer possible, they already arrive in top form.
Are there more important dynamics for riders than economic ones?
Family is incredibly important for an athlete. However a rider's career lasts 8-10 years, and then he has another 50 years ahead of him where can enjoy what he has collected at that time. So I think Vingegaard's wife he should also think about the effort the rest of the world makes to settle for much less.
How do you think this stress could be alleviated?
I think there is little to correct. The only thing would be to have a slightly softer calendar, but we're going in the opposite direction, with more and more races like this, the UCI is cashing in. Perhaps it could be made so that the WorldTours only race against each other, but then there's the risk of having a series A and series B cycling. But there are so many stressors right now. Once upon a time you had an almost friendly relationship with the trainer, Now everything is more technical, based on tables. As well as the nutritionist, who is essential, but every day he sends the rider a card with what he should eat. The result is that the guys they are left alone only when they go to sleepAnd if your head goes off, then nothing works anymore.
In fact now they have psychologists…
The psychologist and the mental coach. Their "I" no longer exists, it no longer finds space. Me now luckily I'm out of all these dynamics, the passion is always there of course, but the ability to act freely is priceless.
