Le previews of the past few weeks They were confirmed in the federal council of February 22nd with a domino effect among the coaches of the various national teams. The leadership of the women's national road races went to Marco Velo, who leaves the time trial team and takes over the role held by Paolo Sangalli for the last four years. A choice that's not exactly surprising if you think about it carefully.
The 51 year old coach from Brescia had already had the opportunity to get to know the women's movement through time trials in international events, also collecting several titles, but From now on it will only be a matter of examining the three categories in a more continuous manner. If the elite and U23 teams are easier to follow on paper, even if only for media visibility reasons, Velo knows he'll have to take a more comprehensive look at the junior teams. To do this, he'll rely on a couple of trusted figures and a staff ready to take note of everything that's worthwhile. Just back from UAE Tour, we took advantage of it immediately to feel the sensations of the new female city, also discovering with pleasure who is her role model and why.
Marco, the investiture came while you were in the Emirates. Do you already have appointments scheduled?
While I was down I organized myself for these days with several phone calls. Between today and tomorrow, since I live a few minutes from the velodrome, I will be on the track in Montichiari for some evaluation tests with the juniorsAll girls selected for the track who can also be useful on the road. Even when I was in charge of time trials, there was always an excellent collaboration with the Track Performance Team. And it will be like this again with Diego Bragato, who became the city of women's track. If you think about it, aside Longo Borghini and very few others, all the other girls in the blue group do double work.
How does it change from your previous role?
I used to have a strong relationship with Sangalli, especially because of the feedback I received on the juniors. Now the situation has reversed. In this whole new situation I will be helped by Martha Bastianelli e Silvia Epis, but also from the youth clubs themselves with whom we will always be in contact. I felt Marta was very motivated and she's a tank. (she says smiling, ed.) She's giving birth soon and she's already told me she'll be available for the national team, but I told her not to rush too much. Silvia, on the other hand, will follow the youth team, as always, and she is a guarantee in that sense.
How much do you feel you know about the female world?
Of course, Marta and Silvia's help will be essential to help me enter this sector more fully. I know I have to build up a greater knowledge base than before and I know I will have to watch the junior races. To get a better idea when I'm not busy with RCS Sport racing. Youth clubs need to stay calm. even if they don't see me because there will always be someone on the race trackThanks to Marta and Silvia, the juniors will always be monitored. They will be my eyes when I'm away.
Do you think your role during RCS races limits you more than it should?
No, far from it. I think it is a resource that we should exploit to our advantage.I will be the race director of the Strade Bianche Women's cycling and the Sanremo Women's cycling, so I will be able to see first hand how the race evolves. And also at Giro Women's cycling it will be the same. These are all opportunities to understand how our girls are doing, but also our opponents.I'll see racing from a different perspective than before.
The women's national team is one of the most medal-winning teams in the world. Does it scare you to take on this legacy, or do you see it as an added incentive?
We need to have a broader discussion. I'm not afraid of medals, just as I'm confident and motivated that I can do well. However, I know that expectations are high. The hard work will be to maintain them and manage the criticism that might come if we don't achieve results.It's something I've considered and am ready to address. I'd like to live up to my predecessors, especially for the care of the group in terms of harmony and solidity that has been formed in recent years.
Based on your time trial choices at international events, it seems like you'll have no problem leading the women's national team. What's your impression?
I have always said that the Mixed Relay, both for the pros and the youth, were instrumental in achieving great teamwork and maintaining balance between men and women. The choices of some athletes could have been considered gambles, but we ultimately managed to win. My perception is that I'm on the same wavelength as the girls, but I know I'll need everyone's help to keep it that way. We'll be meeting with our staff soon to figure out what to do and how to proceed.
Does Marco Velo, a member of the women's national road team, already have his own dogmas to adopt during the race?
The tactics will be developed based on the girls' condition and the characteristics of the course. Between the elite, U23, and junior teams, we're well covered on all terrains; we just need to decide how to approach the various objectives. More than tactically, my task will be to be a coach who knows how to motivate his athletes.Women's cycling are much more meticulous than men and you have to be careful how you relate to them when you're aiming for a goal. In this sense my role model is a person who has nothing to do with cycling..
Who are you referring to?
My reference is Julio VelascoHe won almost everything with men's volleyball and in Paris he won a historic Olympic gold with the women's national team. For me he has a great working methodI was impressed by Velasco during a convention organized by CONI where he explained how to raise or keep the bar high. I have never had the chance to speak to him directly, but I would like to do so even by having lunch together, perhaps taking advantage of my new role as city manager.He has so much to teach, and I can only learn. The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is a big goal, but we shouldn't rush it. We have someone to turn to for advice and inspiration.
