Raising your arms to the sky after a sprint, almost suddenly, around a bend. And then rejoicing. Knowing that inside you, the path you've taken is increasingly the right one, that your dreams, step by step, are coming true. In a word: you're happy. Giovanni Aleotti he was happy a few days ago on the top of Paltinis, in Transylvania in central Romania.
A splendid place: still wild nature in the Cindrel Mountains. In winter you can also ski, but on cold days Sibiu tour the bike is going crazy. And winning up there, even if it's not the Tour that is run 2.300 kilometers further west, has its reasons. The rider of the Bora Hansgrohe he won his first race as a professional, or rather his first two, given that in addition to a stage he also took home the general classification in Sibiu.
Giovanni, first of all, congratulations. Did you expect this victory?
I didn't expect to win in my first year as a professional. I set out to do well because the team gave me the opportunity to try. I knew I was doing well, but from there to scoring the first goal... Anyway, it was a win that gives me great morale for the rest of the season.
And you beat Fabio Aru, who's still a great rider. Have you spoken?
We actually talked more after the stage than during the race. He asked me if I'd gone to Sardinia for Italian International Week. We were very focused. He was really strong and he's a good guy. He's a great rider. It was a great challenge, come on.
What went through your mind when you crossed that line?
So much joy. As I said, I was focused, but I was immediately happy. The team was happy, the sports directors and the staff were happy... And in the evening, we celebrated with my teammates. Having received help from them in your first year as a pro is no small feat. And then being able to finalize the work was an added satisfaction.
And your little masterpiece wasn't just winning the first stage, but controlling the race like a true leader. How did you feel in this role? Did you feel a bit of pressure?
I gave it my all right from the start in the city prologue the day before. Then, after we took the jersey, the goal was to defend it. The next stage also featured a challenging finish: 23 kilometers of climbing and a finish at 2.030 meters above sea level. But I was calm and the team didn't make me feel any pressure. And then, just winning a stage was a good result. No, no… I took it well!
Earlier you mentioned a great match with Aru. And in fact, the next day you finished second and third again…
I was expecting an attack from him. I saw that Fabio was the strongest and most active. He's the one who gave me the most trouble of all. But the team, knowing that Aru was the most dangerous, told me to keep an eye on him, to be especially careful of him. Then I have to say that it was a climb suited to me, because it was rideable, and maybe that also had an impact.
What did you do after the Giro?
I spent a few quiet days, although I didn't completely disconnect because I was already thinking about the Italian who was here in Imola (Aleotti is from Emilia, ed.). Only after that did I disconnect. But tomorrow I will resume Italian International Week.
And you didn't go up high?
No, because after the Giro I decided, in agreement with the team, to stay home for a while. In fact, I had been away for a long time, given that I had been on a training camp in Sierra Nevada just before the Giro. And then in between there were a lot of races and going to high altitude for a few days makes little sense.
Besides Italian International Week, what other competitions will you be participating in?
Lighthouse San Sebastian and the day after the circuit Getxo.
San Sebastian is an important race. It's a good fit for Aleotti...
And it's also demanding. But with those who are leaving the Tour...
But many of them will be in Tokyo…
That's true – laughs Aleotti – I'll keep an eye on it! It's a great race, we'll see how I do.
With Bressan, your mentor among the U23s at Cycling Team Friuli, have you been in touch since your success?
Yes, he immediately sent me the various articles that talked about me. It's a satisfaction for him, but also for the team, for Renzo Boscolo. I've put into practice much of what they taught me. They shaped me. And I'm not just saying that.
There was something that Bressan did he always repeat that to you?
Roberto always told me to trust the people behind me, of the structure that supported me, and so I did. When you feel the trust of those around you and others trust you, you make a difference. We have a good relationship, and I've always listened to him. Among the under-23s, I put his advice aside already in my first year so that I could gain something in the following years.
