Paracycling Italy returns from Ronse, Belgian venue of the World Cup with 14 medals, the same number as last year's Zurich event, except that the golds have more than doubled, reaching exactly half. The Italian expedition led by coach Pierpaolo Addesi was triumphant, bringing back memories of ancient loot, those from the era of the unfortunate Zanardi.But compared to then, there are differences and they are substantial.
Addesi has just got off the plane that was taking him home, finding on his cell phone a shower of unanswered calls, WhatsApp messages, compliments expressed from all sides and the first thing he noticed was that never before had his boys' successes had such a strong media response, when in the past (here's one of the differences...) they had, if things went well, a "brief" in the sports newspapers.
«It's a chain reaction – Addesi underlines – The historic day of Rovescala He not only gave our group a boost on a technical and competitive level, but he also attracted attention. There was a special atmosphere, you could feel it from the day before, but I'd say it was in the air already at the first training camp of the season. You could tell something was changing, that a real group was being formed., where everyone supports each other. Where, above all, we have fun. Everything seems easier that way, and it's something I've been repeating every time we have meetings: it's not that you become happy after you win the medal, but that you win the medal if you're happy."
Once upon a time there was talk of two separate groups, handbike and the others…
Not so, at least not anymore. We're all together, but I'd also like to highlight the staff behind it. We also help each other in different roles, meaning we don't make distinctions.And the kids sense this openness. Beautiful words came out at the final party on Sunday evening.
What level were these World Cups?
We're increasingly moving towards professionalism, and each edition demonstrates this more clearly. Our results shouldn't mislead; there's still a difference compared to other countries where riders are also included in WorldTour teams and are fully-fledged professionals. But we're getting there, I'm optimistic, if we can involve our teams, even though we don't have many in Italy, to open them up to these kids. "Like they do in France," Addesi admits, "where, for example, Cofidis has two athletes competing at the World Championships on its roster. It's a matter of time, but we're moving in the right direction. In fact, there are names racing and winning in the Elite and Under 23 categories who already have the skills to compete with us and are very interested. Next year, we'll have many new faces. But we have to get there slowly, even if the clubs still look at us differently. But what happened in Rovescala and these World Championship results are a great help.
Until a few years ago, there was always a disproportionate medal count in favor of handbikes. What's the situation now?
Things are changing profoundly, even as handbike champions continue to reap the rewards. But I'll be honest: we could have achieved much more with a little luck. Stacchiotti He was having a fabulous World Championships, he was in the decisive breakaway of five riders and the finish was in his favor, but a puncture put an end to his and our dreams. It would have been at least another medal because the finish was for him. Even in the women's tandem Noemi Hermit e Marianna Agostini They lost a possible bronze medal due to a puncture. Not to mention the Cracks He was in perfect shape, but had a mechanical problem before the start. He raced on his spare bike, but mentally he was gone, and that's understandable. We'll wait for the Track World Championships in Rio to make up for it. Let's not forget that a few years ago we didn't even have a single cyclist; there were only handbikes. Now we're becoming increasingly competitive everywhere.
Of all the medals you've won, which one moved you the most?
I'm telling the truth, the tandem gold, because it was missing for 11 years and it is the fruit of prolonged workSeeing a tandem that, two years after its formation, flies to the top step of the podium means that we have worked well (and in this regard Addesi tells an episode, ed.). Last year in October I invited By Felice to try the tandem with andreoliThey came to my area, we did a test at my house, I immediately saw that there was something good.
What is their story?
Di Felice, after the unpleasant experiences that culminated in his long suspension, found a way to redeem himself with us. I think he would have had everything it took to become a professional. I know some of his past experiences, not all of them, but they're part of the past. He's very determined, and his mind is impressive. Andreoli, for his part, had already dabbled in competitive skiing. However, I've seen Andreoli transform over the course of a year, and he also acts as a mentor to others. They did really well, the other nations came to congratulate them and let's not forget that they finished at the foot of the podium. Toto e Bernard who played as a team.
In handbikes we continue to win with champions who extend their successes over the years, for example Mazzone, the standard-bearer of Paris...
The categories of Mazzone, Cornegliani They take into account very serious disabilities, which lead athletes to prolong their activity for years because reaching those levels, even for those who are young, is difficult. In their conditions, the activity requires enormous sacrifices, suffice it to say that if you compete or train at 10, to carry out all your activities you have to get up even at 4 in the morning.Not everyone is willing to make these sacrifices. The categories with a C are different, often linked to accidents, mostly on motorcycles.
Addesi doesn't even have time to catch his breath because he has to get straight to work for the track world championships...
It will be a somewhat limited World Championship because it's far away and doesn't count toward Olympic qualification points, but I can guarantee that next year we'll have a higher level, starting with the materials. We're working to find opportunities to our advantage. We are working towards Los Angeles, slowly, because things are done in time, but I am sure that within a couple of years we will have a solid and strong group both on the road and on the track.This year, however, I won't be going to Rio to get a change of scenery with the athletes I have. I'll expect some strong placings, maybe even a few medals. I'll focus only on the Olympic events because we can't waste our energy. The Federation is supporting us, and I'm sure the Italian Paralympic Committee will also put us in better conditions to arrive at the next Paralympics with a truly strong team. I want to win, let's be clear...
