Cycling moves fast, and youth cycling (with its tight deadlines) even faster. If you don't win as a junior, you'll struggle to secure a spot in the U23 ranks. And if you don't win within your second year as an under, your chances of turning pro are further diminished. In this very convulsive picture, with the I have to team up to rule the roost, being the Sissio Team is not the easiest option. A team small and well-organized, managed with passion and competence by Marco Toffali, who however, due to resources and availability, cannot keep up with the WorldTour satellites. The boys have the same age and the same dreams, regardless of the shirt they wear., and it's certain that they will fight until the last beat to earn that place. However, in the meantime, for those of the Verona team, the situation has opened up a magic door: that of Moa Sport, the company that produces the shirts Nalini and many other very well-known brands.
The Nalini Academy
Toffali's team is one of the privileged testers of the Mantua-based companyThe boys are the first to wear and try on the garments that will be developed into the equipment of the WorldTour teams. In early November, the collaboration took another step forward. The team met at the company headquarters to give shape to the Nalini Academy: an idea by Giuseppe Bovo, general manager of Moa Sport.
“Sport teaches a lot,” he explained, “about hard work, discipline, and teamwork. But there comes a time when you need to know how to travel new pathsMy initial idea would have been even more ambitious, that is, to provide a guesthouse where young people could stay for their internships in the world of work. But it is right to proceed gradually and With this Academy we want to help kids, and especially the athletes who are here with us today, find their path even outside of competition. Offering training, guidance and concrete opportunities for professional growth."
Running as long as possible and becoming a professional, knowing that there is a possible job if your athletic career doesn't yield the desired results. An opportunity that is currently reserved for athletes from military sports groups: everyone else has to roll up their sleeves and look for something to do for the rest of their lives.
Sissio Team and Nalini
To understand how the team members experienced the day in the Mantua company, we involved Marco ToffaliThe recent history of the Sissio Team has seen a clear refoundationNew jerseys, tighter control of all preparation processes, a new spirit. The collaboration with Nalini is a significant added value.
«The relationship that binds us to the company – explains Toffali – is 360 degrees. The fact that the kids try the material is important, because they are riders, they know how to notice the differencesWe look for the smallest details. If you gain a watt because your shorts are compression-fit, or because your jersey lets you breathe better, or because of its aerodynamics… ultimately, the savings you make will allow you to climb hills well or get the momentum going at the crucial moment.
"With regard to The possibility of having a job when they stop running, I think that is an extra motivation for the kids. They can dedicate themselves to finishing their studies, in the meantime they can try to become riders, knowing that they have a chance in that big company."
"I don't have a trainer," Toffali continues, "I don't have a mental coach, I take care of that. We have to be ready for anything, but at the same time We must be aware that the more time passes, the smaller the window of opportunity becomes.This is modern cycling. In your first year as an U23, you're ready to go, and you're not there until June 30th, even though some first-year riders manage to get results. But a second-year U23, who's 20 years old, if he doesn't show off and prove he can win, risks being considered old already. I tell this to the kids and I always remind them that they need to be mentally prepared for the future too.».
How do they react: do they touch wood and not think about it?
Exactly, like everyone else, they make horns and touch wood. The kids believe in it, despite these negativesI call them that because they're not difficulties, they're real negativities. They blindly believe in the possibility of achieving their goal, and that's right, otherwise you wouldn't make certain sacrifices. They are decent kids, they have qualities and the possibility to do somethingThey are intelligent, they understand things, but you have to remind them why they run. It's okay to have a dream of passing, but you also need to work hard to get there.We get results too.
How does the collaboration with Nalini fit into all of this?
Nalini is a leading company and has proposed to us a unique project that we have embracedThey offered us the opportunity to test incredibly innovative fabrics and at the same time as a company they believe in involving young people and former cyclists. So the company visit was enlightening for them.
Did you see them interested?
When we went out, We had a briefing in our little retreat, reasoning and talking. The boys were thrilled with what they saw, especially not everyone imagined what was behind the shirts and clothes they wearAmong them, some are already more inclined to study. Not because they think they can't do it, but because He recognizes the value of education and therefore greatly appreciated the company's proposalThey saw a possible realization. No one threw in the towel, everyone was enthusiastic, but 3-4 were enlightened when evaluating this alternative possibility. Let's be honest: once upon a time, the chances of moving on or quitting were 50/50, now they're 95/5. Some have realized that even if they can't get that 5 percent, Nalini is a great opportunity for our little team. Can I add something?
Of course…
Allow me to say: how many teams, not just in Italy, can offer their kids a future in the world of work? The Sissio Team, thanks to Nalini, can do it and in my opinion this makes the difference on everything elseFor this I have to thank Claudio Mantovani who is the owner and Giuseppe Bovo who had this kind of vision. The boys are about to resume training. I have an interesting first few years and among others, three or four are enrolled in online university, so they can dedicate themselves fully to sports. They are not required to attend school, and in the weeks from October to February, they manage to take the 4-5 required exams.
I I have to team up, the chances of getting through are decreasing, how difficult is it for teams like Sissio Team to make their way?
I'm more than happy that they exist. I have to team up. I understand that the WorldTour wants to take the best five Italian, Belgian, French juniors, from every country in the world.So let's think about these 15 teams of 10 riders, which make up a group of 150. As far as I'm concerned, they have to make their own calendar.International or professional second-tier competitions, which allow these young people to mature and grow in the world of professionalism. They must not run among us.
Why?
You can't take an 18-year-old kid, prepare him athletically in the WorldTour world, give him the materials, the mentality, the concepts, the trainers, the biomechanics of the teams and then make him race against a Marco Toffali who fights to give him a bicycle and let them race. There are no physical or motor differences between a boy of the devo and one of the Sissio Team, there is The context in which they are made to work is unequal. This is what makes the difference and it's not right.It is logical that they put us in difficulty when we compete with them, like when the World Tours go to race at the Giro d'Abruzzo or the Coppi e Bartali among the continentals. But the organizers don't want to give up. Ultimately, it's a vicious circle. And the feeling is that those in charge will never take a step to displease these elites who, more than us, have, above all, a lot of money.
