This article deserves a preamble. We had launched a social media contest tied to the first four Monument Classics, asking people to guess the podium. Among the many votes received, a single reader He nailed it: the Sanremo. His name is Silvano Parodi. His prize: an article written, with a related interview. The chosen character was Lorenzo Germani. The topic: his first Liège and his debut at the Giro. Silvano Parodi is a Genoese, born in 1980, who raced up to the under-23 level. Here's his first article on bici.PRO.
On the roads of the Ardennes we followed Lorenzo Germani at his first experience in these classics. There are so many curiosities, impossible to summarize in a single piece. His ability to file, but with caution: «Because it's easier for the group to take it out on a young rider who's a little too impetuous, rather than on a thirty-year-old who makes up 20 positions in a single corner». Attention to the bicycleI'm not a tire and pressure fanatic, but there are days when I stop more than once to check my cleats. My teammates make fun of me for this. And then the official language of the team, which changes based on the presence of the riders: «In Liège I was the only Italian among the French, but sometimes it also happens that English is used". We went to him before leaving for the Line of Business to hear his impressions (opening photo Getty/Instagram).
Hi Lorenzo, tell us how this approach to your first Liège among the big names went.
I had a high-level calendar, practically all WorldTour races: Strade Bianche-Tirreno-Sanremo-Baschi. Initially the Ardennes were not even foreseen, but due to some changes in the program, I found myself in the selected team. The season had not started in the best way, due to a virus I caught at the Tour de Provence, which took away a few days of training.
What kind of race is Liège?
It's the hardest race I've done so far.This year's difficult route was compounded by terrible weather conditions: temperatures were very low in the first part, and we even had some sleet.
What is the hardest part of the journey?
Even more than the Redoute, the crucial part of the route is the Wanne-Stockeu-Haute Levée triptych. In addition to the climbs themselves, the section of cobblestones that follows the descent of the Stockeu and precedes the Haute Levée is annoying.
How did your race go?
I stayed bottled up in the huge crash that involved Pidcock and Van der Poel among othersThis made the race even tougher. I helped to close the gap behind them, as Alpecin only had one man and the pace was very high, because up front the race had already exploded.
At that point is the race over?
After I just thought about finishing it and gaining experience for the next few years, since in this type of race it is important to do a lot of it and know the routes well
As a team, what plans did you start with?
We had Grégoire and Gaudu as leaders. Gaudu was in front but suffered a puncture on the descent of the RedouteGrégoire was caught up in the crash and spent a lot of effort trying to get back on the bike, which he then paid for in the finale. As a collective we were a good team, this is demonstrated by the fact that despite these setbacks we achieved a top 10 with Madouas
Were you able to eat properly?
In the race everyone has his meal plan printed on the handlebars, with the carbohydrates to be consumed hour by hour. Adhering to it 100 percent is not easy, especially in hectic phases, but this is also an area where experience helps you become more rigorous.
Given your excellent experience with the Liège Under-23 team, do you know that this is a race that suits you?
The professional race and the under-23 race are on two different levels, but it's a race I like. The first objective for next year will be to be competitive at La Redoute, perhaps in support of his teammates, and then we'll see. Dreaming costs nothing.
You were also one of only three Italians to finish the Flèche Wallonne…
The weather at La Freccia was even worse: at the start, such adverse conditions were not expected. In fact, the fact that the first two hours were quite warm and the last three very cold (with snow and hail) subjected us to a sudden change in temperature which sidelined most of the group.
Now the Giro awaits you, how are you spending these days?
I'm training (and recovering) on the roads back home. I'm a bit sorry I couldn't do a period of altitude training like last year before the Vuelta., but given the busy schedule and participation in the Ardennes classics there was no space to organize it.
Some time ago you told us that you had asked your trainer to increase the workload. Was this request followed through?
In winter phase Yes. When the races started, as I was saying before, The virus I caught at Provenza has messed up my plans a bit, causing me to miss a few days of training.Then, given the tight schedule, most of the work was done on the fly.
What are your personal and team expectations for the Giro?
As a team we will go with the idea of being more sprint-oriented. We have Pithie who has had an excellent start to the season and could aim for a good ranking for the cyclamen jersey. In the non-sprint stages, however, we will enjoy more freedomI hope this will also create some good opportunities on a personal level.
One stage, Avezzano-Naples, will also touch your training areas: sprint or breakaway?
The first 150 kilometers are practically a highway, the last part is very technical with small climbs and a nervous pathThe group could split and 60-70 riders could arrive. On paper, it's very suitable for our Pithie.
Have a good trip Lorenzo, see you on the roads of the Giro!
