A strong reset. The desire to unplug after a tragic event that had shut down everything around him. And now that switch is back in the "on" mode. An extreme and intense situation experienced by Samuel Rubino in the last six months.
In May the total abandonment of the activity after the absurd death of Stefano Martolini, his sports director at Viris Vigevano. Immediately after, a job and now another new development. From the pleasant chat we had with Rubino, it is clear that It must not have been an easy time for him, at least the one at the end of spring. The former 2018 junior Italian champion told us the emotional vortex that overwhelmed him, changed him and moved something in him.
Samuele, you texted us to meet up after your shift. What are you doing?
Since June I am warehouse worker in a company near Pombia (in the province of Novara, ed.), the country where I liveWe import/export various goods, such as masks, swabs, and other pharmaceutical products. I start at 8:30 a.m. and finish at 5:30 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break. I searched for and found the position after Viris closed the team due to Stefano's passing. I couldn't get on my bike anymore, I had to get away from it all.I had more time to do my own things, hang out with old acquaintances, even though I still led a life pretty much the same as before.
A knockout blow, we imagine.
Yes, absolutely. Do you think that just With Stefano, a few days before, we had set the program to have a good second part of the season with the aim of perhaps attracting the attention of some professional team. To me, he was more than a technician. At work, they knew about my passion for cycling and who I was. In July everyone was listening to the Tour de France on the radio, they did it for me. But I wasn't interested in anything; it bothered me to hear anyone talk about cycling. However, both my colleagues and lifelong friends encouraged me every day to reconnect with my sport. They did it for my own good.I think they were sorry to see me like this. And I thank them for their thoughtfulness.
In the end, like the Chinese drop, did they make it?
I'd say yes, although I've only recently started missing my bike again. I get along well with everyone at work. I get along well with my boss, who's also a sports enthusiast. He is like a sports director who has even more interest in everything going well given his financial investment.My contract expires in these days, but I will not renew it. In the meantime, a team contacted me and wanted to get me to put the number back on my back.I accepted. I'm sad to leave the company, but even my boss, despite suggesting I stay with them, understood the situation.
Tell us. Who are you going with?
I will run with the UC Pregnana Team ScoutAlberto Saronni (the Milanese team's sporting director, ed.) called me, and some people who were pushing for my return put him in touch with me. Alberto gave me an important speech. He motivated me and I want to learn from his teachings, as I have always done in the past with other technicians.
With what spirit will you dive back into the world of racing?
First of all I have to say that I only started cycling again a few days ago.i. I therefore have a long period of preparation ahead of meI'm ready to face it knowing that I might struggle to find my sensations, feeling, and rhythm again. I come back more determined, with a new mentalityMy experiences, both in May and at the company, have given me a better understanding of life outside of cycling. Even though I already knew it and applied myself properly, I further understood the importance of discipline and work..
Do you already have goals for 2023 in mind? Maybe attracting the attention of the pros...
I'll be an elite first year and considering the novelty of going back to running it's like starting from scratchBut this thing really excites me. The intention is to have fun doing what I like best. Then obviously I'll want to do my best and achieve results. I would like to bring enthusiasm to the team, raise the level and repay their trust.Then there's another goal I'd like to achieve...
What?
I would like to win a race and dedicate it to StefanoIt's something I hadn't thought about when I was away from cycling, so alienated was I. But now it's a motivation. I don't know if or when it will happen, but I'll do everything I can to make it happen. He taught me, even when he was alive and just like this whole story, that life is only one, that you have to live it to the fullest, and that nothing lasts forever. It may seem trivial to say, but every time I think about it I realize that it really is true.
