SAN CANDIDO – Davide Piganzoli is increasingly at the centre of the project of the Polti-VisitMalta, The Valtellina native, who grew up with targeted and precise steps, is preparing to race his second Giro d'Italia in his career.After last season's debut and a solid thirteenth-place finish, achieved thanks to tenacity and perseverance, the spotlight is now turning to highlight his profile.
The approach remained almost the same as in 2024, concluded in crescendo with the third place at the Giro dell'Emilia: we started with the races in Spain, then the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, Tirreno-Adriatico and finally Tour of the Alps (opening photo by Maurizio Borserini). The only difference came from the fact that he raced the Gran Camino and not the Tour of Antalya, which he won last year.A forced choice given that the Turkish stage race was not held.
Solidity
The results are no different, in fact, they are practically identical: in the top fifteen at the Valenciana and in the top 20 at the TirrenoVictory was missing, true, but the performances achieved at the Gran Camino seemed more solid: always among the first and a second place in the stopwatch behind Derek Gee.
«I'm definitely arriving with a different level of maturity – he says inside the tent behind the awards stage – while the work program remained the same, both before and after the Tour of the Alps. So I did a retreat at high altitude, then this race to finish the work and then we go towards the Tour of ItalyGiven last year's results, I think this is the right approach. In general I feel improved a lot and we can hope for the best».
Matured in what?
Certainly I have a greater amount of experience And I feel like I've improved physically. I think the team has changed for the better, too.
Let's go point by point: why do you feel physically stronger?
I feel stronger on the race pace, I can keep up better with the other men in the standingsWhen you're young, you always have to get used to the group and improve. I think, as time and seasons go by, you'll get there.
In terms of racing experience, what did you learn from last year's Giro?
Of course, you always have to be careful and try not to go all out every day. The goal in such a long race is to maintain a bit of freshness for the finale. because it is precisely in the final stages that important opportunities arise.
What have you tried to do “more” than in 2024?
I tried to take small steps: something more for the fondo slightly increasing the hours spent on the bike, improving what I cared less about last year, that is, the kilometers done during the weekThe result is that I feel more solid in terms of performance.
Looking at the performance made in this Tour of the Alps How are you feeling? Are you on the right track?
I think I'm in a good period, everything is going according to plan. After these days I will enjoy a moment of rest and then we will go straight to AlbaniaI'll still be looking at the standings this year, but without too much stress. We're a small team, and I think that's an advantage, especially when it comes to aiming for breakaways and winning stages.
Will it be a more open Giro without Pogacar?
Yes, definitely, and I think it will be until the end. As in these days there will be many champions and many riders who will be able to take part in the raceWithout someone capable of dominating, we will probably see more control, but at the same time there will be more entertainment and more space for everyone.
More beautiful but more difficult to interpret?
Technically it will be difficult to keep the race under control, but come on, I think it's a positive thing for the show and for the viewers at home.
