These days Paolo Sangalli is at home and champing at the bit. From Monday it will be at Tour of Italy, his first Giro d'Italia, on the flagship of the Lidl Trek and hearing him talk about it you can feel the emotion of his debut. It might seem strange for a coach who has led the national team to four Olympic Games and fifteen World Championships, but The Giro is special and everything in his words lets it shine through.
«When they told me I would do the Giro – he says – It was exciting, because for an Italian the Giro d'Italia is the Giro d'ItaliaIf the Tour had been at stake, I would have chosen the Giro anyway. Then it was all a matter of getting closer. After the Tirreno, I did the Catalunya, then the Tour of the Alps and Romandy. In these races you find those who will take part in the pink race and you begin to see the dynamics of the teams, which I didn't know because I come from a different environment. And this was really helpful for me to understand, given that there is still so much to learn."
Until the last World Cup, Paolo Sangalli was the junior and elite women's city. He took over from his friend Dino Salvoldi, when at the end of 2021 the Bergamo native was moved to the juniors, while at the end of last year, he agreed with Luca Guercilena and accepted the flagship of Lidl-TrekEveryone expected him to lead the women's team, but instead he was assigned to the WorldTour team, despite making a few appearances on the team and with the women's team. And now comes the Giro d'Italia: if there was a white jersey for the technicians, Sangalli would be fully in contention.
How is this debut going?
I am very, very happy. I knew from the outside what the team was like, but I can confirm that nothing was left to chance.Everyone has a specific task and things are done in a truly ultra-professional way, I'm really happy.
How does the relationship with athletes change?
From my point of view, whether they are men or women, the relationship is identical. Clearly there are different nuances between men and womenIn the national team, I was almost like a father to the juniors, while with the older ones there was a different relationship. With the professionals, it's another story. I even did the Roubaix with the I have to team up and you can tell they're still kids. Absolutely. The beauty of this team is the perception in all situations, whether we are talking about women, men or under 23s, that we are one group.
Do you think you tried many situations to get the hang of it and gain experience?
In my opinion to make me join the team, so as to have an overall visionMany of these sporting directors and many of the staff have been here since 2012, when the team was founded. There's a real, consolidated team atmosphere. So the fact that I'm able to move around in every area probably... it helps me get into all the dynamicsAnd I assure you it's a good choice, because now I understand how everything works.
Does it also help you bond with the various staff members?
Certainly, even if in certain situations, seeing Archetti, Adobati and Cerea, I feel like I'm still in the national team.
Was your good relationship with Luca Guercilena decisive in your move?
It was something that developed over the years. Getting to know each other, even hanging out with the performance manager Josu LarrazabalIt was a combination of things, it's not like we just met one day and decided. We got closer little by little. Plus, I had in my head that after four Olympics and fifteen world championships, the time had come for a changeNot because I was feeling bad, but probably because I needed new stimuli. I think I gave a lot in the national team and I received a lot.You know how I worked, my whole day was dedicated to that. I went to see the junior races, I went abroad to see the big racesI had the same relationships with the smaller teams and the WorldTour teams. They were equally important.
Do you hear from the national team players anymore?
Not like before, but I follow them. On Sunday there was also a junior race in France, which we've always run, and I got the results in real time. For women I also have a scouting task. So I'm very careful and keep a close eye on it.
How are you experiencing this first week of the Giro as seen on television? Are you champing at the bit?
I can't wait for Monday to come and I'm happy with what they've done so farThere is a great champion in Pedersen, but so far there has been a great team, there is no shadow of a doubt. It was a clear objective for everyone, we arrived ready and we achieved itPedersen clearly won't wear the pink jersey all the way to Rome, but he'll keep it as long as possible. We saw Ciccone helping everyone, and Mosca leading from the first kilometers. Seeing that the team is there is the most beautiful thing (Unfortunately, yesterday Lidl-Trek lost Kragh Andersen to a broken wrist, ed.) I'm champing at the bit, I'll relieve Kim Andersen, and we'll be back in the second week feeling fresh, even in the team car.
