The debut of the gravel world championship is behind. Italy was the protagonist of the world consecration of a new discipline which is attracting more and more interest from the cycling movement in general. Filippo Pozzato has led the organization of his PP Sport Events expertly bringing home an exemplary first edition, full of important names and without gaps of any kind in terms of route and safety.
The women's and men's world championships were held in an area that represents the heart of cycling in Italy and beyond. For the In Veneto, pedal-powered two-wheelers are a serious thing. and this two-day dirt track race was proof of that. the public responded in large numbersThe autumn air has painted the banks of the Vicenza canals to then delve in, caressing Padova and finally with the arrival worthy of a Renaissance painting within the walls of CitadelPippo is tired but smiling, the atmosphere is relaxed and the staff and collaborators raise their glasses of Prosecco in a feeling of satisfaction and pride for what they've accomplished. It's time to celebrate.
Podiums worthy of the rainbow
Often, the value of a race is determined by the starting list and the finish line. In the months leading up to this World Championships, there was no shortage of doubts and questions. A new discipline born from a touristic spirit focused on travel and exploration, it has recently begun to embrace competitiveness. The pros have swept away any doubts by answering “present” to this World Cup.
La starting list saw names like Sagan, Van der Poel, Van Avermaet, Lutsenko, Stybar, Lopez. And then the Italian national team with the tricolor Zana, Oss, De Marchi, Dancers, to name a few. As well as for the women with Pauline Ferrand Prevot, the multi-champion in cross-country, short track and marathon MTB. blue Bertizzolo, Sanguineti, Guarischi, and cross-country specialists Teocchi and Lechner.
«We had – says Pozzato – a great world champion like Vermeersch who played a great race. According to Daniel Oss who is an important name for the Italian scene and beyond. Van der Poel third, Van Avermaet fourth, names that give a clear and strong signal that there are important riders who believe in this and they proved it because they interpreted the race by also putting on a show, they didn't come here just to start. The same goes for the women with the champion Pauline Ferrand Prevot ahead of Frei and our Teocchi third».
Year Zero
Over 500 riders from 39 nations. A world championship that has managed to start from its year zero with a very respectable lineup, moving a significant number of athletes and professionals. Precisely because in addition to the elite categories of women and men, also the amateur categories traveled the same gravel roads.
«I think – says Pozzato – that we wrote a page of cycling historyNot us, not me, but all of us together. I mean insiders, journalists, theUCI, we who organized it and last but not least the riders who participated. It is certainly an important starting point, in my opinion a historic one, which will give the go-ahead to the next editions an important and completely new movement with its own dynamics. Already in the first year, having completed a race with these results is something that gives a sign."
Goal achieved
Gravel is a new discipline which, as mentioned, is approaching a movement increasingly oriented towards competitive races.This year the UCI has drawn up a competition programme Athletes borrowed from other disciplines have approached this challenge and have consequently qualified for it. Along with the new dynamics of the race, the ability to organize and secure a competition of this caliber is crucial.
"It went well," Pippo explains, "without a doubt. There was great enthusiasm yesterday and today. The riders had fun. The crowd was happy. Let's say that our goal was this: to entertain the people and the riders. Everything went smoothly, the UCI was very happy, we brought the race home, we achieved the goal.
"It was difficult to close the course," he says, "like street races with the police and everything else, but in the end we succeeded in our intent, ensuring safety in all the races without accidents or unforeseen events. For us, the protection of the riders is the most important thing.».
Gravel also in the future
A year ago the Serenissima Gravel won by alexey lutsenko He made us understand that this type of race, if organized with a clear objective, can have an international stage. Pippo was able to immediately grasp what this two-wheeled specialty could offer athletes and enthusiasts, and he put himself on the line. starting a movement that has already reached its first peak with this World Cup.
"With Serenissima Gravel," Pozzato concludes, "we were the first to compete in the pro race. Today we were the first to compete in the world championships, and now We will definitely do the Serenissima (scheduled for October 14th, ed.) with the world champion and with Van der Poel, so let's say we're really happy with this because it was what we wanted to do."
Oss, behind the podium, confided that he likes this format and that gravel could become a goal for the future. Year zero is behind us. the dawn of the new discipline has risen, gravel is a reality.
