SAN GIOVANNI IN MARIGNANO – For Filippo Zana the “Evening of Great Cycling” has become a regular eventLast year the tricolor jersey award of the Challenge bici.PRO went to him. This year he passed the baton to Simone Velasco.
The stage victory at the Giro and the one in Slovenia were two solo victories that placed Zana at the top of a hypothetical ranking of the strongest Italians in 2023. Then, however, came the broken collarbone and withdrawal from the Vuelta due to a virusA positive and growing season that gives us hope for 2024. After four years of Giro d'Italia, the The desire to compete in the Tour de France is clear, as is the desire to try and get into the rankings.
What season was it?
The first part went really well. From to do the Giro in the tricolour jersey with the stage success, then the victory at the Tour of SloveniaAfter that, I couldn't play in the Italian championship and it was really unfortunate because I was feeling well. I tried to make up for it at the Vuelta, but I was sickThen we did this season finale in Italy where we changed the plans a bit and it didn't go too badly. Let's say that overall It was a great season of growth and I'm happy. There was definitely some bad luck, and I could have done better. We hope to continue growing like this next year.
The fall in Slovenia is also in everyone's eyes...
That stage I was alone and I managed to break away from everyone, but on the descent I took the wrong turn, and it went really well. In fact, I think I ran out of luck, because three days later I broke my collarbone while training 500 meters from home.
On a personal level, did the fact that you had such bad luck halfway through the season and no longer wore the tricolor jersey destabilize you a bit?
Wearing the shirt is a privilege. I was sorry I didn't even go out to defend her because I knew I was fine. But I still tried to work hard to get back to where I was before, doing everything I could. Just when I thought I'd regained my form, I caught the virus and the season went downhill a bit.
Physically, were your performances up until Slovenia the best you've ever had?
Yup. I hope to be able to find a similar condition again next year., maybe try to get to the Giro or whatever will be done with the condition I had this year.
Will you change anything in your preparation this winter, also based on your ambitions for 2024?
I'll do more or less the same as last year. We'll change a bit, maybe like getting to a Grand Tour. I'll try to work much harder and In short, I'll try to work much harder.
Why?
Specifically, I've seen that the Giro d'Italia is three weeks of great effort. It's a lot of stress, but my body has shown it can handle it well. Especially after the middle of the second week. So... I would like to make sure I arrive at the start already "warm".
It sounds like the speech of someone who wants to make a ranking. Is that true?
Let's say we have the top-ranked players on the team, and I'll be supporting the captains. Then, definitely, second-best; you never know what can happen. I will have the approach of the first domestique who tends not to drop out of the rankings. I'll try to stay there, then we'll see during the race.
You said you'd like to do the Tour after four years of the Giro…
We're talking to the team now. We still have to decide on the calendar. I definitely like the Giro a lot. Plus, yes. It passes through my home roads, because the Grappa stage is practically where I train and it would be wonderful to be there. I would like to be at the Giro, but at the same time I say that It would also be nice to race in the Tour, which also starts in Italy. I'd like to change a little.
Any dates for this winter?
I've started training: we'll soon have two training camps, one in December, one in January. Then, if everything goes well, I should start in February in Spain.
