Como-Grenchen-Turin. Matteo Sobrero's crazy weekend could be summed up like this:: from the retreat at the Giro di Lombardia after having worked for the team, to the sprint in Switzerland to see his "almost brother-in-law" Filippo Ganna conquer the record and then down again towards Piedmont for the gathering with the Bike Exchange in view of the coming season. In addition to revealing the more human aspects of the Martian Top Ganna, Matteo explained how the time trial will continue to be a constant for him., but not the only road (opened during the one won in Verona at the end of the last Giro)
Can you tell us about your crazy Saturday, October 8th?
It was a busy day, but it was worth it in the end. It was a great emotion because... I managed to get to the velodrome with half an hour to go.
And the record was already materializing…
Exact, I enjoyed the best of the Hour: it was really crazy.
As a time trialist, did it inspire you? Have you ever thought, maybe I'll try it someday?
No, I know what he did a performance that will be difficult to beatOnly with the passing of time and the development of materials will it be possible to surpass this record, as we've seen with Wiggins and over the last 10 years, with the increase in average speed per hour. I'm certainly not someone who would ever consider it: when I think of the Hour record, I think of Filippo GannaHe was made for such an effort.
What did you say to him in the midst of the celebrations?
There were so many people and when I managed to reach him, He just hugged me and thanked me for being there. We understood each other with a look.
Did you have to work overtime to arrive on time?
I reached the end of the season with my batteries a little flat. I had a hard time at Lombardy, on the Ghisallo I dropped out and saw that I wouldn't be able to finish the race and so I retired when I passed Como. I took a shower, changed and I left as soon as possible to get up to Grenchen.
A record also born from the desire for revenge after the disappointment of the World Cup: did he talk to you about it in Australia?
We were in the room together and I lived with him those days there. For an athlete of his level, even though he is Filippo Ganna, I think it is It's difficult to prepare for two major events like the Hour Record and the World Championship. with the aim of reconfirming themselves for the third time in a row. I think they had a bit of a sense of belonging with the team the goal of the record and they spent more on that as energy. Maybe winning the world championship before the record also served as a test to understand that they were wrong about some things and it allowed him to refine his preparation. He slowed down just before the record, and it helped.
Did he ever confide in you about his fears before the World Cup?
Those who know Pippo know that if he tells you his legs hurt or that he's not well, it's because he's going really fast. In Australia, however, I saw him differently, he didn't say anything, he was a bit worried.You could see he was feeling the pressure, but he wasn't 100 percent.
And before the record, did you hear it?
No, because I know him and he already has many people writing to himThe last time I saw him was when he woke up at 2 a.m. to go to the airport after his Australian adventure. He said goodbye and left, and after that we only spoke via text, but I didn't want to put more pressure on him than he already had from all over the world..
Did you feel more at peace after Australia?
Even without hearing him directly, through Lombardi and others, I informed myselfI know that in those situations he needs to isolate himself.
How important was he in your growth in time trials, which even led you to beat him in an Italian championship?
There was the path that suited me very well, though I grew up cycling in the same junior school with Marco Della VedovaI was a first year rider, he was a second year rider and he was already a time trialist. That year, being there next to him made me passionate about the world of time trials and that's where it all started.I always ask him for advice, and I discuss new technologies and strategies.
So, will you continue to practice this discipline?
Yes, but this year gave me further confirmation that I'm a time trialist, but for tests that are suitable for me, as a time trial can be in a stage race, for example that of the last Giro in Verona, not as a specialist. I will never be a world time trial riderNext year, as I wanted this year, I want to confirm myself more in the road races.
Pinotti calls you a time trial champion: what do you think?
Even when I'm not the favorite or if the time trial is flat, I always manage to save myselfYou need legs and you need watts, though. the head counts a lot.
Brent Copeland says you have significant room for improvement…
The second objective of the season was the Tour of Poland, which was partially achieved, because I finished fourth overall, but dropped off a bit towards the end, not being in great health. This is what I want to do in 2023 too.
Have you already circled any races in red?
We're talking about it with the sporting directors, we'll see. Maybe this year I was penalized by the elbow injury, while next year I would like to start running earlier to find the condition immediately.
The race of dreams?
Lombardy. Although I never got there in the best shape, dreaming doesn't cost anything.
The Giro d'Italia will be presented next Monday: there's talk of three time trials to lure Evenepoel, including a hill climb time trial. Does that sound appealing?
The hill climb is a bit of an extreme, just as the flat time trial is on the other end. I place myself in the middle and that's the context in which I can play my cards best.
Outside of cycling, what do you do?
We have twenty hectares of land, mainly vineyards, with five hectares of hazelnut groves. We produce wine in the familyIf my sister and I continue the business, we'll be the fourth generation. It's a big burden, though. if I hadn't been a cyclist, I would have been at home running the company. One day, when I stop, you will see me there.
