MASSA MARINA – Stefano Viezzi's first high-level road race was the Giro della Lunigiana (opening photo Duz Image / Michele Bertoloni). In reality the World Champion The junior cyclocross rider had planned to participate in the Eroica Juniores, but a fall on the first stage prevented him from continuing. The recovery from that injury was slow but progressive. and it brought him to solid form. So much so that Rino De Candido, regional coach of Friuli Venezia Giulia, called him up for the Lunigiana race, and he made a bold breakaway on the first stage.
«I felt like trying right away – he says – I knew the Lunigiana route would be tough. But I wanted to try and show off, as I did in the first stageThe last climb wasn't my style, but I managed to fight for the podium. I would say the feedback is positive.. Also because the riders who will be protagonists in the world championship were present.
Some news
Viezzi compared to 2023, a few things have changed, moving from the Tiepolo team to the Coratti Work Service TeamA new team but the same ambitious goals.
«With Work – he explains – I immediately felt at ease: the bike, the availability of the technicians and my teammates. Given the commitment of cyclocross I joined lateThe team had already withdrawn twice, but I adapted well. The crash at L'Eroica, resulting in a broken collarbone, prevented me from having the season I wanted. I would have liked to put together more races, but that's how it went."
What were your expectations for the Tour of Lunigiana?
Not many, to be honest. However, I didn't feel at a low level.Before leaving with the Friuli team, I asked Work if I could do a couple of races to get back into the swing of things, and they agreed. The response was positive.
What was it like going from running one hour to competing in three-hour races?
I always had positive feelings. To do this I trained a lot on the bottom at the beginning of the season, when I started running on the road again. As soon as I stopped cross-country, I stopped for a moment to catch my breath and then immediately put some miles into my legs. I suffered a bit in the first races, but little by little I felt better and better..
Even though you haven't raced much on the road, you won. How does it feel?
Winning is always nice, but it was also a small confirmation of how much made on the cross. Even looking at Seixas I feel like saying that if you're good at cross-country, you can also be competitive on the road. That's a great confirmation.
You missed competing in an international race, how was it?
Maybe after a fall, someone is afraid of being in a group or feels less confident: I don't have this mental block. So there were no problems, then we know that by running with foreign boys the regime rises a bit.
Given your physical characteristics, which competitions are you most interested in?
Maybe about competitions some classics that I hope to do already from the next category, for under 23s. Hilly races, where the gradients do not reach double figures.
By the way, there's a category change coming in cross-country too. Do you have a plan yet?
The competitions for me will start in October, then there will be the European Championships in early November. The other important races on the calendar will be from December onwards, I will definitely arrive in better shape than I am now. I will arrive in top condition for the World Cup, which will be in February, but having been down for so long in the summer, I'm still... refueling. I won't be taking a break in September.
Have you already been in contact with any teams about moving up to the Under-23s?
Yes. Not all teams offer space for cyclocross, but there are teams that manage to combine both. I'd like to always do cross and road racing.
Maybe in already equipped teams, like Visma or Alpecin?
Of course those would be the best options for me, but also the others I have to team up they are well equipped to do both disciplinesI have some contacts, but I haven't made a final decision yet.
