To close your eyes and remember the first Nibali in Astana, he comes to mind, escorted by Alessandro Vanotti and Michele ScarponiToday, now that Vincenzo has returned to Vinokourov's court, those two are still there: Michele, observing him from a higher dimension, Alessandro remaining in constant contact and fulfilling the role he has always played: keeping his captain's morale high.
We feature Alessandro Vanotti in a bar in the center of Brembate Sopra – a town in the province of Bergamo where he lives today – on Valentine's Day and we discover a man deeply in love with cycling, or rather, the bicycle.
Appointment in a bar in Brembate Sopra, with the number of that 2014 Tour This is the bodysuit with which Vanotti ran the last Bergerac-Perigueux time trial
Appointment in a bar in Brembate Sopra, with the number of that 2014 Tour This is the bodysuit with which Vanotti ran the last Bergerac-Perigueux time trial
Alessandro, what can Nibali do this year?
Vincenzo it must not be distortedI think he should continue to aim to do well in the Grand Tours, the short stage races and the classics where he has shown he can go fast: Lombardy, Sanremo, Liège. And then must have a specific program, shared with the team, which must be respected until the end: it needs planning.
Do you think he can aim for a top ranking in the Giro or the Tour?
It will depend on the condition in which it arrives close to the big events and at that point he and the team will have to be good at reasoningYou might consider starting without great expectations, only to find yourself halfway through the race fighting for the overall standings. Or you might consider giving up, saving your energy to invest in the next major Giro.
There was talk of treating yourself to a few luxuries, like racing the Roubaix…
Let's not joke: with what expectations? I think that Vincenzo could run a race like Roubaix the year he decides to stop.Doing so now, as Wiggins did in his time, would simply be a huge risk.
Do you still see him as captain or is his role now more about teaching his young teammates?
Nibali is a captainHe can still win important stages and get some satisfaction. It's clear, however, that Having him in the team is like having Ibrahimovic in the locker room, he can teach young people a lot, he can pass on technical and mental lessons that come from his experience, both in competitions and in training camps.
His return to Astana, what does it mean?
What he needed find a family environmentHe did well to gain the experiences he did, but the solid atmosphere created in that team is unique. I remember when we went to Kazakhstan for the presentation. At that moment, you understand how much they care. It almost feels like you're running for the national team jersey, you are naturally led to give everything.
Who will be the key man?
Michael Pallini, definitely. He's the one who's known him the longest and His role as a masseur is crucial, not only for the physical aspect, but also for the mental one.By touching his leg, he immediately understands if something is wrong.
Martinelli's will is behind his return. What can you tell us about him that we don't yet know?
It's the Nibali of sports directorsThe one who still today, if you call him because you need him, comes to your house, listens to you and talks to you. Martinelli he's that sporting director that you feel when he arrives at the retreat, it gives you security.
Do you still keep in touch with Vincenzo? How is he doing in this very early part of the season?
Serene. And calm. Mature, balanced., is making use of the knowledge he has acquired over all these years as a professional.
When you talk, will you give him any more advice?
When we talk, we never talk about cycling. We laugh and joke, crack jokes; it helps ease the tension. Before Covid we saw each other much more often and then, when we went out cycling together, I still happened to feel like his teammate and I gave him some advice. After so many years together, I can tell by his pedaling whether he's well or not.I remember when he won the Sanremo Festival: I saw him on TV on the Cipressa and I said he would win.
After a lifetime of cycling as a racer, his… office is still the street (photo Celeste Valentina) Vanotti is in love with cycling and runs his Vanotti Cycle Camps (photo Celeste Valentina) Its sponsors include Santini, Trek, Limar, Magnetic Days, and Bonaldi Auto (photo by Celeste Valentina)
After a life on a bike, his… office is still the road (photo Celeste Valentina) Vanotti loves cycling and runs the Vanotti Cycle Camps (photo by Celeste Valentina) Among its sponsors are Santini, Trek, Limar, and Magnetic Days (photo by Celeste Valentina).
When he gets off the bike, do you see him as sporting director?
No, I see it better as manager of a large teamSomeone capable of captivating young people and attracting sponsors. He's still the most famous Italian; he's won everything. He is a figure who serves, like Tosatto, like BennatiWe don't think that today trainers count more than riders, that numbers are more important than experience.
