Foza Middle School, a town of seven hundred people on the Asiago Plateau. The first bell rings a quarter to eight, and the last one ten minutes to two in the afternoon. Monday through Friday Beatrice Rossato, a math and science teacher, commutes thirty kilometers each way to workThe last fourteen are on a narrow road from the Great War that climbs up to the village in the Brenta Valley, over a thousand meters above sea level.
The 26 year old from Vicenza, Rosà, became a tenured teacher three months ago but remains an athlete of the Isolmant-Premac-VittoriaHis lessons also take inspiration from cycling, why not? Foza in fact it has had a close relationship with our sport in the recent past.
In 2017 it was the last "gpm" of the twentieth stage with arrival in AsiagoHe was the first to pass over the top Well I live while at the finish line he rejoiced PinotWhich, together with Nibali holds climbing record on StravaIn 2018, the eighth stage of the U23 Giro d'Italia had an identical ending, with Colombian Munoz triumphant. There's even a Facebook page dedicated to the Valstagna-Foza section. What Rossato now knows perfectly well and during which he thinks about how to reconcile everything for 2023.
Beatrice, the last time we heard from you was mid-August. What's changed since then?
Everything, for the umpteenth time in the space of two months (she replies amusedly, ed.). You left me working in a chemical-medical laboratory for a multinational. I still had to compete in the Giro di Toscana. Then at the end of August, just as I was going to the race with Isolmant, I received an email from the Ministry of EducationAt first, I thought it was spam, like so many others from fake addresses. But when I opened it, I immediately realized it was real. I was asked to take up service from September 1stIt was a shock. Luckily, Giovanni (Fidanza, his team manager, ed.) immediately gave me the best advice.
How did you do with the other job?
I had to resign reluctantly because I was enjoying my job. My boss was frozen in her seat, but she understood the situation and wished me the best. After all, this is what I studied for. At the end of 2020, I took the exam to become a tenured teacher. I was waiting for the rankings and the assignment of the positions I had chosen, and as we know, they sometimes arrive late.It's a satisfaction for me to have reached this goal now.
Women's cycling's cycling is struggling to reach professional status just like men's, and meanwhile you've become a... "pro." What's your week like?
At 6,30 I'm already on my way. I don't mind riding 60 kilometers a day, nor do I mind all that climbing. I enjoy driving. However, it's not easy to organize everything right now. There's still a stereotype of teachers doing nothing outside of school hours. This isn't true.There are lessons to prepare. Meetings to attend. Bureaucracy. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I have two afternoon drop-offs until 17 pm. And then there are the kids to look after. I have about twenty of them spread across the three middle school classes. The third year students have to choose which high school they want to go to and it seemed the least I could do to advise them, accompanying them to these meetings.On Saturdays, however, I don't have lessons.
So, do you use it for training? Have you already thought about how to optimize your workout time?
Exactly, right now I only cycle on weekends, while on other days I try to make time for the gym. I'm living day by day now, also because I need to finish integrating. Maybe when the timetable changes I could go to school by bike by car and leave from Foza to trainThere are several loops to do, going down and up there. Some of my students have asked me if I'll go teach by bike, but it seems like too much (laughs, ed.). Anyway, I already knew the Foza climb. I've always made it several times in the summer. It's really tough..
What's your relationship with your kids? Is anyone a cyclist?
Very good. They are all good, I am happy to enter the classroom to teachNone of them cycle, but they were very interested when they learned what sport I practice. They always ask me lots of questions. Curiosity to know and understand is one of the most important factors that students must have to grow and open their minds.If they hadn't had it, I would have taught them. Their questions about cycling always inspire me. When Rebellin sadly died, we held civic education lessonsYoung riders people need to be taught how to avoid these tragedies and how to behave on the streets. If we educate them, we can also reach their parents and older generations.
Giovanni Fidanza told us that Beatrice Rossato is a role model for his athletes. What do you think?
He's like a second father to me. I'm flattered by his words. For 2023, he suggested I continue despite my work at school. It's as if I were a student or junior again. (laughs, ed.) From July onwards, I'll be more present, but I'll try to be there even before then. What I learned from him and in general, I can pass on to my teammates, especially the younger ones.i. I would like to encourage them not to give up or underestimate their studies.You have to make sacrifices, because in life, even if you don't race, you still have to make them. We might as well start understanding this right away. Women's cycling's cycling is changing, it's improving a lot. It would be nice if athletes achieved professional status, but You can't run forever. You need an alternative plan. Studying is one of them..
What could your next season be like?
As I was saying, I need to figure out how to organize myself. I want to do everything with the utmost professionalism.I like cycling because I can express my determination. I'd like to win some more races like I did in the last two years, especially to make the team and all the sponsors happy. To tell the truth, just going to the races would be enough for me to be with my teammates. But first I have to find time to train. Because, As I always teach my students, practice is like homework. If you don't do it, you can't improve..
