Closed his experience at Red Bull, Enrico Gasparotto arrives at Bahrain Victorious and for him it's almost a return to his origins. In fact, he spent two seasons as a rider in the Arab team, in 2017 and the following year, when he was almost at the end of his fruitful career as a rider.The right environment to restart after a four-year experience with the German team, during which he learned a lot, but he knows that now he's starting on a new foundation.
Coming home after seven years is never easy. Ulysses's Odyssey teaches us that things change in the meantime: "Bahrain has come a long way since then.. And a lot of new people have joined the team. I know the management, I know Milan Erzen because it was already there, I know Vladimir Miholjevic because we also ran together in Liquigas as with Pellizotti. Or with Bozic for example, speaking about sporting directors, however the rest of the staff is all new to me, but it's also nice to see new faces every now and then and change environments to get new stimuli».
You played for them in 2017 and 2018, what were those years like for you?
In the meantime, I carry with me the memories of having been part of the Giro d'Italia where Nibali reached the podium in 2017. It was the first podium in a Grand Tour because it was the first one we achieved as a Bahrain team and with the Shark achieving that result was a great satisfaction. Then I participated in several competitions with Colbrelli, whom I helped achieve his first successes. When he exploded with major victories, I was no longer there, but I'm happy to have seen him blossom. At the time, it was his first post-Bardiani experience in the WorldTour, and I was alongside him in several races, so I was a part of his successes and we began a great friendship that still lives on today. And in this regard, there's something I'd like to clarify...
Is this about your handover?
It wasn't. Reading that I was Sonny's replacement made me sad; they're two completely separate things. I talk to Sonny almost every day, we are true friends, it's like sowing discord between us and it's not rightI have wonderful memories with him and that's what I want to take with me to Bahrain.
What do you remember as a result?
First of all, in 2018 I finished third at the Amstel in the Bahrain jersey, my last podium in what was like a second home to me. Then sixth at Liège. The end of my career was approaching (he would retire two years later, ed.) but I was still competitive at high levels.
Did those two years have an impact on your future, on your becoming a very successful sporting director?
They contributed, certainly. Almost my entire career was in the WorldTour, except for one year in Barloworld where I won a lot, I achieved important results and then two years at Wanty where I won the Amstel again. But when I arrived in Bahrain it was a "step back" to the WorldTour and I think that This process of being able to win important races again with small teams and then bring this experience to the WorldTour again and close my career, that yes, it helped me a lot in my career as a sporting director.
In what way?
In the last phase of my career I was paired with young riders, Sonny in Bahrain and the late Gino Mader in Dimension Data, to try to help them grow and understand what the World Tour means and what the important teams require in terms of commitment. Young riders people also have to learn a little about how to manage the approach of the press, which at the time was very different from today because the influence of social media was less., even if we are talking about 7-8 years ago.
There's a strong Slovenian presence in Bahrain, not just because Milan Erzen is at the top. Was that already the case when you were racing there?
When Bahrain started in the WorldTour, it relied on the Nibali group and therefore there was an Italian entourage, much more Italian staff. Today, the focus has shifted to Slovenia; I had the opportunity to visit their warehouse in Novo Mesto. They have many more Slovenian staff, but I think there's a much more international presence than before.We made a performance meeting with the various sports directors, coaches, doctors, nutritionists and in reality out of 30 people there were 16 different nationalities…
Like Red Bull?
On that road, but In my opinion, Red Bull really has an international impact at all levels, especially since Red Bull itself became the owner and co-owner of the team.There's an incredible internationality, and that's why I think Bahrain is going in that direction. Comparisons are always difficult to make because the teams have different budgets.
What was your first impression?
The average age is relatively young. There's a large number of promising young players, so we'll have our first training camp in December, and I'll have time to meet them, get to know them, and get to know them. That's why I plan to attend both team camps, which will be held in December and January, precisely to spend time together and understand what needs to be done.
