When last time Daniele Nieri he had told us that Luca Coati He was a cut above everyone else in facilitating the integration of African kids, now we understand why. Luca was at the Team Qhubeka, continental which carries forward the project of Doug Ryder for the development of cycling on the African continent.
Nieri had told us that it's not easy for a European and an African boy to be together, there are too many differences. And that the sporting director's hand alone wasn't enough. To make sure the boys integrated... on the bike and in everyday life, the help of other riders was needed.
Coati heart of gold
Luca Coati, who is currently looking for a team for next year, tells us this unexpected glimpse of modern cycling between training sessions.
«I – says the Venetian – I arrived in Qhubeka last year. For African kids, staying in Italy is a huge mental challenge, I think. They are far from their families, from their world. In fact, they spend the whole year in retreat. Yes, even some Italians do it, like the Sardinians or Sicilians, for example. We in the North are much less accustomed to it."
Power supply needs to be reviewed
With the company sprinter-time trialist Veronese, let's start with one of the most curious aspects that marks cultural differences: nutrition.
"In Qhubeka they gave us carte blanche about what to eat," says Coati. "When we went shopping, we Italians bought normal things: rice, pasta, chicken... And we cooked that. They might take some vegetables, like tomatoes, and make a sort of sauce with lots of them." spices and onions, then they took a whole loaf of bread, put it in the pot and all ate together from that pot. And there you ask yourself: what's happening? You're not used to seeing certain things.
«Or to make pasta they took water, oil and pasta and cooked everything together».
"They don't know how to use the washing machine or the dishwasher. You have to explain everything to them. I repeat: it's a different world. That's why Qhubeka usually gives them contracts of at least two years. The first year is for them to get used to their new life. They need to mentally develop."
From straights to curves
Regarding bicycles, things are still different. Many come from Eritrea. And there's also the issue of roads.
«I have often spoken with Henok Mulubrhan what time is it at Bardiani Csf Faizanè Coati continues, "and he told me that in Eritrea there's only one road, almost entirely straight. And he used that for training. Back and forth. Here there are descents, climbs, forks, curves... At first they had a hard time. They're not used to it. They go from a single road to essentially a mixed route."
"They had a lot of trouble on the hairpin bends. But it's normal if you've been doing the same thing for 20 years and then you continually find something new. It takes time to adjust."
Good things come back
Coati was not the only Italian or European to be close to the African boys. But he is the one who had a different sensitivity compared to others. And perhaps this is also why he managed to find the key to make them open up, to communicate (a key word as we will see), to make them grow.
"Even in my early years as an under-23, I didn't speak English very well. Over time, I've improved and now I can hold a conversation. And so they made themselves understood, and they understood me.
«But I think the difference in establishing a true relationship lies above all in the way you talk to each other. Because, as Nieri says, it's not easy for us either. Sometimes you feel like scolding them, but it's because they don't know. Things that are obvious to us are surreal to them. And so there were those who were a little rougher and those, like me, who were a little softer. I am convinced that if you do good, sooner or later it will come back to you."
Most of the Africans I've dealt with have big hearts. Becoming attached to someone means they've left you something good. And the same goes the other way around, with them being grateful to you. Of course, there's also a compatibility issue. But if you're available, you give them advice... they they take you as a reference, like a brother."
By bike…
Integration isn't just about everyday life; it's about the most important thing: cycling integration, learning to actually ride. Coati's work here was impressive, too. As mentioned, there were rumors of problems taking the turns, let alone staying in the group.
«With the newly arrived boys, in the first races, even more than in training (because at the beginning training together is not possible), you have to insist on the issue of nutrition on the bike. You have to tell them all the time. They have a completely different concept: they would not drink or eat anything during the entire race.
"Then maybe they get there, or they stop early, because they have cramps, they've had a hunger crisis... Run after run they begin to understand that maybe there is something they can improve."
«Being in a group? Ah – Coati laughs – ask Nieri how many frames they broke this year! But it's normal. They were always on the ground. Then maybe a Ephrem Ghebrehiwet, who throws himself more, still falls, but gets right back up. And he also falls every other day. But they keep going.
«And this is a positive thing compared to us Europeans. They are much hungrier. They don't give up."
«In a group, they may do something that serves no purpose, but it's always because they're not used to it.
«You have to consider that in Eritrea for example 30 people start off on a single road, after 10 kilometres only five remain in front and the race ends with those five. Then they find themselves with us with 150-200 people, climbs, descents, curves and everything becomes more difficult."
Translator in progress
Luca had to run his own race, but even in this sense he tried to give him some advice or to carry them forward.
We used the radio many times, and over time they realized it was better to stay ahead. But then there was the language problem. In Qhubeka they speak English, but in Eritrea, for example, they speak “Tigrinya”, they also have to learn English and in the first year away from home they don't know it. So, to communicate with new arrivals via radio, Nieri had to tell things to a guy who'd been in Europe for at least a season, who in turn had to translate. It was a real mess!
«Daniele tries to explain things to him. They nod their heads, but they don't really understand. Like when you have to go get the water bottle, but then they don't go. And that gets on your nerves in the long run."
Eritrean solidarity
Patience and time are vital in this project. And they're also useful for everyday life, the kind of life an Italian young person would lead after school or work. Here too, some aspects emerge that are far from obvious.
How do they spend their time? Almost always on video calls. This is because, especially in Eritrea, they don't have internet access like we do. The government blocks and monitors them. When you're in Africa and send Henok a message, if you're lucky, he'll reply after three days. And so they're always connected with other Eritreans around the world whenever they can.
"And they help each other. We had just arrived in Norway for a race. There was an Eritrean waiting for them under the hotel with a flag. They talked for a bit. Henok told him he didn't have any normal clothes to protect himself from the cold. Less than an hour later, the guy called him back: he'd bought him new shirts, sweatshirts, and jackets. Not only that, but he also gave him their nation's flag. His happiness said it all.
"A nice thing is that they meet often. They're all friends. And not just among Eritreans, but among all Africans. When we were in Tuscany, near our house there was an apartment. Tesfatsion and even though he was from a different team, they hung out together in the evenings.
"Henok and Tesfatsion are the most active. They've been here for years now, helping the new arrivals... even if they haven't learned a word of Italian!"
