For the second time in a few months, we return to these pages to discuss BMX. On the first occasion, in Montichiari, when the boys tested themselves with speed on the track, Olympic qualification was a timid hope. Instead now Fantoni nailed it and talking to coach Lupi has a different flavourThese are days of preparations and competitions. The Italian championship will be held in Padua on Sunday, on the home track, while the following week (9-11 July) the national team will be in Zolder for the Europeans.
How are you?
All very good, given the results. But if I may be honest, I expected it, even if they asked me to keep a low profile for communication purposes and as a result I didn't expose myself too much. In fact, We arrived at the World Cup in Bogota, Colombia, already qualified., but that Sunday evening we practically got the… stamp in our passport.
The Olympic spot goes to Fantoni, who had already been talked about as the key man…
Ma qualification is the result of the whole team. Certain Fantoni achieved a good result with two World Cup finals and that really surprised me.He deserved these results, getting where he had to and, above all, repeating the feat the following day, placing 6th and 7th on May 29th and 30th in Bogotá. There are few who have managed to repeat themselves in the history of BMX.
Why?
Why It is a very technical and fast discipline, which is the basis of all the othersI will never tire of repeating this. Ha technical and performance features where you can't go wrongA race lasts 35"-37", the slightest mistake is fatal. So Fantoni will go to Tokyo and Furlan will be the reserve, even if he won't be able to fly there. The third official is Sciortino, who is younger and has done a really good job.
Do you think watching BMX races live on TV will help spread the sport?
I know that Eurosport will broadcast them with commentary by Ilenia Lazzaro, from Padua like me. An Olympics like ours needs visibility. It's useful for movement and it's useful for the guys who work hard and often nobody sees them.. And yet something is already changing.
What?
There is a more serene air. People stop me and congratulate me, the athletes have found new pride in being part of the movementYou can make other choices if the Tour de France is at stake and because other things come into play, but we also have dignity.
Why has Fantoni only arrived at the Olympics now?
He is 30 years old and he will not be the oldest, because Graf will compete at 32 and then retire, as Fantoni has already announced.Jack is great on a technical level and is very strong physically, but Perhaps in the past he hasn't been able to show the composure he showed in the World Cup.He arrives in Tokyo with great experience and strong results. I have always said that whoever had put their efforts into practice and achieved some results would have gone to the Olympics.
Will Fantoni then join the national team?
I can't say, it hasn't been discussed, also because All of us national team coaches will have to re-discuss our positions with the new federal managementI have my own project, but it will have to be evaluated. Among the ideas, without naming names, is that of bringing into the circle a former athlete who recently stopped, who could give an extra boost to work.
What will Fantoni do between now and Tokyo?
He won't compete. It might be a risk, but The Tokyo race will be unusually long, between 42” and 43”, so in agreement with his trainer it was decided to do another block of work. And on July 21st we will leave.
To compete when?
July 29th and 30th. The good thing is that in the previous days we will be able to ride on the route. It's a good thing, because Fantoni didn't come to the Test Event of 2019 and is currently also watching videos of previous races. We are in the middleAnd soon we'll be leaving.
