Bus parking. We are on this side of the barriers, Jacopo Guarnieri beyond. Untouched bubble. It is under the grey sky of Conegliano before the time trial that we meet the most desired trailblazer of the Giro d'Italia. The rider of Groupama-Fdj but it's much more than a last-minute sprint car. He is first and foremost a man, a director on the run, a true rider.
Jacopo, unlike many of your colleagues, you're always well-informed. Even the fact that you use Twitter extensively speaks volumes. Not just cycling, but also politics, the environment... Where does this critical sense come from?
I'm a grown-up now. When I hang out with people, I find myself talking about other topics. If we're having dinner with friends, with people I've met over the years... I don't talk about cycling.
What did you study?
I had started law school in Brescia. Then, as I transitioned into professional life and felt out of place (they were all sons of lawyers), I lost my motivation and quit. I believe that to be educated and informed, you don't necessarily have to go to university.
Regarding the issue of closed stadiums and Covid, national football team coach Roberto Mancini declared that Italians have a right to play football. What are your thoughts? And above all, what would have happened if a cycling official had said something similar?
They wouldn't have asked a cycling manager that. The problem for me is who asked Mancini something that perhaps isn't within his purview. From him, I would have preferred a response along the lines of: it would be nice if Italians could return to the stadium. Klopp replied to this question: and you ask me?
How has the cycling profession changed since you started? And especially this year?
It's increasingly demanding. In my first pro races (2008-2009), I managed to get some results, and with the way I trained back then, that would be unthinkable today. Even with just enough condition, you could get by; today, it would be impossible. And even more so this year. To give an example, at Poitou-Charentes, a second-tier race, I struggled as much as I do at the Giro.
Today, nothing is left to chance: many retreats, extremely careful nutrition...
Yes and no. That's the case for the general classification men and some teams. We're a little different. We don't do much training or altitude training. And I like that, considering we're so far from home for the races. Before the Giro, we did a six-day training camp, and that was it. Not much training, but well done. This year, Demare wanted to try some altitude climbing after the lockdown and went to Sierra Nevada. But only him. We're freer. It's "nervous" energy that's saved.
The very young are already winning. Pogacar, Evenepoel, or even Antonio Tiberi himself, who won in his first U23 race. Why do you think so?
When I was there, the time it took to win was different. It took me a few months, while Oss, for example, took two years. Generally, you matured later. I'm not saying today's youth are exploited, but they certainly know everything. However, they have no room for improvement. I'm already 100% right. I've always made a distinction between champions and phenomena. A champion is someone who repeats himself. pogacar it's a phenomenon. Froome He's a champion. If Tadej repeats his feat, he'll be a champion. Because it's one thing to win without pressure, and another to do it with the expectations of sponsors, the media, and a hefty salary. I was talking about this just the other day with Peter (Sagan, ed.). I told him, "You've been winning for years, you've done it again."
Could they already “quit” at 25-26 years old?
You media always ask how far they can go. Pogačar wins the Tour, what more can he do? Winning two in one season! They can't go beyond that. They just pass and are ready. That's how it is. This perhaps limits guys who aren't that fast as amateurs and who would have potential further up the road. The real risk is that if Pogacar finishes third in the Tour next year, he's done badly.
You're not old, but you're not a kid either: what's next for Jacopo Guarnieri?
For now I hope to have another four years of career. Because I have a dream: To go to the Olympics. Rumor has it that the 2024 Paris route is for sprinters. That's the goal, then we'll see what happens along the way. I like my job for now, and I have a few projects in mind.
What?
I'm keeping it to myself. I want to ward off bad luck!
In the group, you're a senator. We see it on TV, but also how the other kids interact with you on social media. Does that make you proud? Does it change you in any way?
No, but it gives me confidence when I have to prepare for a sprint. The others are trying to understand what Groupama-Fdj will do with Guarnieri. If anything, I'm a senator from the little group! Davide Cimolai always says to me: "Guarnierone, what do you think? Should we call this little group?" Maybe it's because I have a loud voice and they can hear me all the way to the front of the group...
What is the perfect sprint?
There isn't one. Maybe there's one that's almost perfect. And I think we came close in Rimini. And in fact, after the finish, you could see how happy we were. It depends on many things: road width, wind, speed, whether everyone can give 100%.
Demare left when you were still in full swing. He decided when and where to exit…
That's why we were happy. Because it was like one of those simulations we do in training. That "gap" thing, that meter of distance at full speed, allows Arnaud to launch himself faster, and when he comes alongside me, he's already very fast. In Rimini he passed me when I was 150 meters away. Better than this…
You're the train's director. Do you talk a lot during those hectic moments?
Not much at that moment. We talk more on the bus before the race. In a race everyone has to know what to do. Here at the Giro, since there's no… Sinkeldam we worked on scotsonHe made a few mistakes in the first sprint, but then he integrated immediately.
Since you're a Twitter user, let's tweet about some riders. Let's start with Almeida...
Leathery. I don't think they're underestimating him, rather up until now there hasn't been enough ground to detach him. The real difficulties will come from today.
Sagan…
A rock star, even without achieving results... (he pauses for a moment, ed.) You see, I'm falling for the trap too. In the end, he won. Peter always makes the news. With his interviews and his surges, he brought a breath of fresh air.
Pozzovivo…
Wow! He never gives up. Determined. I see him on his bike and I wonder how he manages to pedal. Honestly, after withdrawing from the Tour, I thought he was almost done. Instead... Stoic!
Ganna…
A hydroelectric power plant. Never seen one with so many watts. In a hamlet of 100 inhabitants, it lights up every house! Without limits.
Finally Nibali…
A phenomenon... and a champion. If you want to push him harder, just go up to him and say, "Vince, you really weren't going well yesterday..." Proud as he is, you'll see what he gets up to. Training, racing, off-roading... he's a true artist on the bike.
Is he your favorite of the Giro d'Italia?
Usually the third week Vincenzo digs holes in the ground!
