In an age where everyone communicates digitally and socially, often inappropriately and sometimes using only emojis, there are still those who use a paper letter sent by post or delivered by hand to introduce themselves. An unusual and original way at the same time used by VPT WhySport, newly formed elite/U23 team, to make itself known in the category.
The acronym VPT means Veneto Project Team And his staff, to be honest, is made up of people who have been in cycling for a while in other roles. In short, they know the subject well, but it's their new reality that deserves to be explored in depth, especially in light of their latest results. Or perhaps it's better to say their first results. In fact, last weekend at Castello Roganzuolo, in the Treviso area, Manuel Loss gave a nice second place to the VPT at the end of a narrow escape. We therefore took the opportunity to have him tell us everything. Paul Santello, team owner.
For you, Paolo is a return to the past, right?
Yes, exactly, although with substantial differences. I am an athletic trainer and in 2014 with my studio SP Training I managed the programs of Area Zero, a continental team. In that team there were three current pros: Carboni, Pasqualon e PetilliI am happy and honored to have worked with them, as I have with Marcato e Busatto, the last in chronological order.
How did the idea of starting a new team come about?
In my studio we have always followed many cyclists. From the enthusiast who wants to lose a few pounds to the amateur, up to the pure competitor such as pro, elite and U23.After all, our center's slogan is "the cyclist's tailor," because we've always made tables made to measure like a suit. At the end of the season, many of our athletes couldn't find a team. Until last year, we were able to recommend some of them to other teams, while others were forced to stop.
So you've decided to start your own business?
That's right. My sons Andrea and Matteo, who have always helped me in the studio, were saddened that someone couldn't continue running. So they proposed that I create a team that would give an opportunity to these guys that no one wanted for many reasons.We started working in October with the guys and our staff, but we were only able to set up the company in January. In fact, for We're now chasing invitations for the March races a bit. Because we don't have all our weekends booked. Not everyone knows us yet, but we had planned for that.
And here's the cover letter, which received excellent feedback from your colleagues. How did this beautiful and unique initiative come about?
Many times in the past, new teams have been discovered only after a few races. No one knows them, and sometimes gossip begins. However, a week before the San Geo, as soon as we received confirmation of our participation, We thought we'd prepare this letter accompanied by a bottle of wine from our lands. Our team manager Gianluca Mengardo, who was one of my athletes in Area Zero, hand-delivered them to every sport director of all the other teams competing at San Geo. And I must say they appreciated our gesture. After all, we're only just entering this category.
What is the VPT composed of?
Our headquarters are in Cazzago, a hamlet of Pianiga in the province of Venice, a few kilometers from Padua. We have ten boys. One elite and nine U23s, three of which are coming from the juniors.. Besides me, my children and Mengardo, we have three sports directors. I am Damiano Albertin, Aldo Borgato (father of Giada, the commentator of Rai Sport, ed.) and Andrea Caco. They too we dusted them off because they did it a while ago and we involved all three of them because based on their work and personal commitments they will alternate at the races.
How are you doing from a technical point of view?
During our training camp in the Euganean Hills, we got a sense of our players' characteristics. However, I think they understand each other better with each match. I can say they put in a lot of effort right from the start. Let's say that both them and us, with the means and all the material, we started from scratch.
Meanwhile, on March 2nd, a second-place finish came in, which is a morale booster. What a day was that?
I'm honest in admitting that there wasn't a large group of participants, but races must be run and honored because nobody gives you anything for free. Loss' second place was unexpected and he did really well.He was in a breakaway of eight and I would have been happy if he had finished eighth. Result aside, the great satisfaction is for how we ran, always entering the various escape attempts, until the decisive one.
Has Paolo Santello set any goals with the Veneto Project Team?
For now, let's take what comes without creating expectations. For example we finished a tough and high level race like the San Geo with 3 out of six boysThat was like a victory. And if we were to get a fifth place every month, I'd always pop the champagne. We'd like the combination of my experience with the youth of my collaborators and their desire to do well. would bear fruit this year and for years to come.
