Bettiol arrives in Trepalle at 10 o'clock, in the hotel located right on the Eira Pass, to train with the guys from Bahrain-VictoriousThe Tuscan is staying with his partner Greta in the centre of Livigno, but in two days he will also come up here, where the sky is closer and the altimeter marks 2.172 metres, making it the highest village in Italy. Tom Dumoulin is also staying a hundred meters from here, who cordially greets, but has asked not to be disturbed with interviews and videos.
The Bettiol is here to prepare for the Olympics and his presence in the Italian quintet was already writtenCassani had been observing him for some time. And if Stradella's victory had sounded like a confirmation, the signal that had convinced the Italian national team was his performance on the long climbs, starting from the day of Sega di Ala.
So Bettiol went up to the heights, following the indications of his trainer Leonardo Piepoli. «Who now trusts – he says smiling – even if he's always on my good side. But I will try to do everything right and not disappoint him."
Today Stelvio
The rider's daily program Ef Education-Nippo the offer four hours, with the Foscagno, the descent to Bormio, the Stelvio, the descent again to Bormio, then the climb to the Cancano Lakes and again the Foscagno to get home. Heavy days, sowing and building the shape, too simulating the effort of Mount Fuji and the hardest climb on the Japanese circuit.
"In Tokyo, we'll start as equals," he says, "but the road is tough and will make differences. So at a certain point, when things are clear, we'll have to be honest and talk among ourselves, deciding who to work for."
Vuelta and World Championship
After the Olympics it will come the proof that winks at him more than Tokyo, having won the Tour of Flanders: the world championship in Louvain.
"Cassani's been talking to me about it for two years," he smiles, "and that's why he asked me to do the Vuelta. The team agreed, so after the Olympics I'll stay home for a couple of weeks, then Spain and the World Championships will follow. Trentin has seen the route and says it's suitable for me too. So now's definitely not the time to give up."
