He hoped and deserved to finish his career better, but when Sacha Modolo When people talk about cycling, it becomes a raging river, especially among young Italians.We can consider him the "godfather" of Alessandro Borgo, who he helped grow with technical and human advice inside and outside of training until he is now a pro with Bahrain Victorious promoted by I have to team up.
The former sprinter from Treviso still cares a lot about his sport and you understand it every time that, touching on the topic, the discussions branch out into many other aspects to considerModolo has been collaborating with the PM Cycling Agency of Massimiliano Mori and Marco Piccioli (his agents as an athlete) for a couple of seasons, making himself available to the riders in his area who they follow. In addition to his 49 victories, Sacha has a lot to say to those who want to become riders from the lower categories. From the inspiration of a photo on his Instagram profile A conversation about the Italian youth scene emerges with his usual frankness, perhaps a little sweetened by the experience of age.
How is your relationship with Borgo now that he's gone pro?
He's always very good, but now I follow him less and I think it's right this way since he has the trainers and technicians from Bahrain. I would never allow myself to interfere. However, I remain in his support should he need to go back to the back of the car.I get organized, I close the workshop (the SakaLab, ed.) and off we went with him on my Vespa.
Your closeness was precious to him.
I think and hope so. For example when this year won the Ghent-Wevelgem U23, a few days before he had asked me how to moveI had given him some tips on the Belgian roads, since I had run up there a lot and I remember the places well. It was a great satisfaction, as well as the victory in the Italian championship. Alessandro has now grown up, he has learned a lot in competition and he is continuing to do so..
And a word from you is never missing.
Of course, I always try to give him advice and explain certain things to him, about everything. In fact, knowing him, when he asks me certain questions like a boy his age, I already know where he's going with this and I'll anticipate it.And I say to him: "Look, I used to think like that too, what do you think?" And we laugh.
Are there other guys you follow?
To tell the truth, in my immediate area there aren't as many riders as there used to be. Until a few years ago, we were about twenty pros. now there are only Vendrame, Borgo precisely and every now and then Scaroni when he comes to his girlfriend who lives nearby. Among the young riders I'm following Matteo Cettolin who will race with Trevigiani (this year he was at the General Store: he is the brother of Filippo from VF Group(Editor's note). I also give him my technical opinions. As I was saying, however, we don't have many kids who ride bikes in my area.
Does this mean that youth sectors are drying up?
I'm afraid so, but let me make a premise. I still have to get my mind ready to go and look for the rider among the kids.The students now are the juniors of a few years ago, and it's no longer a game. At their age, I didn't make the sacrifices they do, and they're very good at it, but I don't know what else to say to them. Now all the young players want to be champions and they only think about the contracts to signThey don't think they can become riders by carving out a role as a domestique or team player, especially when they go pro.
Why do you think that is?
It's the fault of the society we live in that wants us to be great champions or great, successful entrepreneurs. Either you're like that or you're a failure. It's not possible, because that's not the case. So I don't feel like going to a kid and telling him things that aren't true.I wouldn't promise him anything, especially since you know: I'm pragmatic and straightforward on certain issues. I'm not interested in making money or speculating on a kid's back.
Have any youth teams approached Sacha Modolo as a consultant?
Yes, of course. Some clubs in my area had asked me to become a sports director, suggesting I take the course or help them with their athletes. They asked me to do it for free or on a voluntary basis. Luckily, there are volunteers, but it's not possible to continue or grow like this. I already have the job. The mentality is the same as twenty years ago, as are the people who are the same.I would revolutionize everything, and not because I say so. This is the classic situation of the dog chasing its own tail.
Please explain.
Youth clubs are in this condition because they are not supported financially and have no returns from a marketing or other strategic perspective. Therefore they are unable or unwilling to invest in young, specialized and trained figures who do it professionallyIt's not like that abroad, but I'm worried about Italian cycling. Not having WorldTour teams and the related I have to team up It affects the kids a lot. Our professionals are doing too muchAnd then there isn't always support from the school.
Another hot topic, right?
Not everyone is good at reconciling the two commitments and not everyone finds understanding in teachersSchool often doesn't help you because teachers don't understand when a student is also a nationally recognized athlete and therefore called to training camps or travel for important events. Sports credits are lacking in schools and this can lead a boy who wants to become a rider, which would then become his job, to choose private institutions or even worse, even leave school altogetherA solution must be found.
Is it a stretch to think you want to become a rider at 15 or 16?
If I look at it in general, I'd say no at the moment. But if I look at Italy, then I'd say it's bad. For all the reasons we mentioned earlier. We add that the U23 category is changing and unfortunately not all the organizers are adapting. Aside from the international ones, there are national races for elite/U23s that aren't very useful for developing our young athletes. I know it's difficult, if not impossible, but many organizers of small nearby races should agree to hold a single international race, perhaps even for juniorsI'm sure they'll gradually build up a strong roster of top-level starters. Let's not complain if we run out of riders.
