Even a relatively small team in the international and diverse world of under-23s can experience a wonderful adventure abroad. Even if that of the Tripetetolo sports club it was, at least on the eve, full of pitfalls considering the competition venue. In fact, we are talking about the Tour of Kosovo, the small nation born from a bloody conflict with Serbia, where political tension between neighbors has always remained very heated even if somewhat hidden in the daily newsYet just this summer, thanks to the social unrest in Serbia, the latent conflict has been revived, so much so that tensions at the borders are considered one of the most burning hotbeds of war in these very dark times.
To exorcise fears, the Tuscan team focused only on the sporting aspects because the Balkan trip was perhaps the most important event of his entire season. Massimiliano Dinucci he was the man appointed to lead the boys, confident in some important result.
«There was an invitation from the organizers that arose from the fact that he is running with us Flavio Venomi, that he is part of the Albanian national team whose federation wanted us to be present. For us it was important to give the boys a chance to race abroad., to have a different experience than usual and for this reason we gladly accepted".
What race did you find?
From an organizational point of view, I have to say that I was very impressed. We were racing on the highways, and that's not a common occurrence. No traffic, no people on the sidewalks, everything a bit sterile.Another aspect that couldn't go unnoticed was the heavy police presence, constantly escorting us. There was a very high level of control and security. But it wasn't oppressive, I have to say that. It's clear that there was a slight lack of spectators, the kind we often find, or at least were found at Italian races.
And from the point of view of the routes?
All three planned stages included undulating routes, with various steep sections, always on these very wide roadsIt could have been more varied, but instead it was a bit monotonous, and this had an impact, especially on the mental level; it was more difficult to maintain high concentration throughout the race.
What level of running was he at?
Speaking of a category 2.2 race, it had a good level of participation because I know that in recent years it has grown a lot. Al Tour of Kosovo there were two English teams, a German one, a Dutch one who then also won the Giro with Danijel Agricola ahead of two English ones. So there were well-equipped and strong teams, with resources far superior to ours.
An interesting fact about this race is that it was held in Kosovo, where the political situation isn't exactly great. What was the atmosphere like?
We too expected more social tension, but instead we found a calm atmosphere, they welcomed us well, and we didn't encounter any problems of this kind. One evening we even went out and walked around the streets of the capital Pristina without any problems or particular checks.The feeling I got was that Italians are also looked upon favorably in those parts.
Was there any particular control by the police, the army?
Aside from the strict controls during the stages, I was very struck by the relationship the population itself has with the police; I saw fear. As soon as the police intervened, the locals immediately stopped, there was not the slightest hint of discussion.
Let's get to your team, how do you rate this season?
We could have done better, I don't deny it, even if there are some mitigating factors. Between March and April, we had four players we were counting on for the races in that period who had mononucleosis. Then we had some injuries and we were hoping for... Butteroni that maybe he would come out of it after a season that had ended in June. But unfortunately there was also his injury a few days before leaving for Kosovo, a serious injury, 300 stitches on his ribs, another season unfortunately over.But despite everything, good results have been achieved in Kosovo; let's say we've balanced everything out, at least partially.
Were you happy with their performance?
In the end yes, because in all three stages we obtained placings in the top 10. I was sorry for Lorenzo Viviani because I told him on the first day that in my opinion the ranking should be done immediately on the first stage. He waited that extra second to join the breakaway which then proved decisive, which then defined the classification of the other two stagesThey missed an opportunity, but overall they performed well.
As a club, you're considered one of those that does a lot of work with a lot of sacrifice, precisely because you're a small team compared to other under-23 teams. How is the work experience now in your size?
We're struggling because even getting invitations and giving kids the chance to compete in important races is difficult. More so than in the past. I must say, however, that over the years we've built a clean, fair image, even with the organizers, and all of this is thanks to Daniele Masiani who is our team manager and who keeps the relationships. It's hard work, travel is expensive, hotels often have to be paid for, in short, it's hard to get to the end of the season.
