Roberto's story Menegotto, reviewed today in the light of the cycling we are experiencing, is an example of how sport is an environment that must be experienced while always remaining present to oneself. The Venetian from San Donà di Piave was a very good prospect as an amateur, even capable of conquering the Tour of the Aosta Valley in 1993, which we know to be a springboard towards professionalism. Menegotto moved to ZG Mobili in 1994, but his stint lasted just 4 seasons, before he quit at the age of 27 and started working, first on his own, then, after his company went bankrupt 6 years ago, in an electric motor factory.
The Venetian has never distanced himself from the world of cycling, he took the 3rd level technician license and dedicated himself to the younger ones, to teach them what cycling is, in its many beautiful sides and also in the dark ones, then came Jacopo, his son who is now going through the same thing as him, being one of the most promising young players from the flourishing Veneto youth system.
«I wouldn't have wanted him to be a cyclist "He says, "but he has a lot of passion, the same as I had at his age. He knows it's a tough, difficult world, but he wants to try. In short, through him, I too have returned to my world..."
Looking back now with the maturity of adulthood (Roberto is 54), have you ever regretted giving up so soon?
Yes, very much. A little more luck would have been enough. But those were tough years; cycling was much debated, very "messy." Today climbers are climbers again, sprinters are back to sprinting, then there are the absolute champions who have always been there, those capable of winning everywhere because they are blessed with natural talent.I lived in an era of great athletes: Simoni, Casagrande, The same pantani They were my rivals as amateurs and we took turns winning, I also left them behind. However, to succeed, a lot depends on the team.
How did you find yourself at ZG?
The choice had been the right one, but in the second year the ownership changed and I couldn't reach an agreement. I moved to Marino Basso's team, I was also going strong, I finished second in a stage of the Midi Libre behind the current sporting director of Cofidis. Vasseur, but I didn't see enough confidence around me to give me time to grow. I came from football, I started cycling at 18, I matured very late. Too much for the cycling times then, let alone now…
Have you given up cycling?
No, I dedicated myself to the younger ones and over the years their victories, but above all their stories, their gratitude, their growth as a person even before their cycling growth have been my successes, the ones that have repaid me. Now I dedicate myself to the beginners in Gs Spercenigo, a company with 52 years of historyIn recent years we have suffered the rivalry with the Borgo Molino, but we're completing the entire process from youth to junior level within the same club, and that's important. We'll get more satisfaction.
Speaking of young people, we've seen on social media that you're very sensitive to the issue of premature transitions to professionalism...
I've experienced the difficulties of the transition firsthand. You have to be ready, first and foremost, mentally and physically. Everyone's looking for the next Evenepoel, forgetting that phenomena are such because they're so rare. We burn a lot, this is the truth, even initiatives like the Bardiani under 23 team are a waste of timeIt would make more sense to require at least a couple of years of under-23 status, to give them time to develop. Then there's the scheduling issue.
Explain yourself better…
In my day, you'd find one or two races in the region where you could gain experience, gradually grow, and in a way, train for the more important challenges. Nowadays, at every race you find the best, it seems that every junior race is a sort of Italian championship and this is not good, it consumesWe also need to have space for more affordable competitions, to allow clubs to plan, look for spaces, raise self-esteem in your childrenYouth categories are crucial in the physical and mental development of young people.
Let's talk about Jacopo: is he like you as a rider?
Not at all... I was a pure climber, small in size, with explosiveness on my side. He has great power, but it's a shame he hasn't been able to show it off yet this year because he contracted a virus at the start of the season that essentially sidelined him for two months. He's basically run every international race in reverse... He's strong on medium climbs, he reminds me a bit of Argentin, even if he still has everything to prove. But he has time to grow and can make up for it this season as well.
What do you expect for him?
That it may draw satisfaction for what he does and reward for the sacrificesHe's talented, I hope he can show it. He's been riding since he was 7 years old. He knows I have a wealth of experience. I've talked to him often, I've taught him what cycling is all about. Now he has to go his own way, knowing that I'm here when needed.
