"You finally did it, you got me fired from Valcar! I read the headline: Arzeni and the strongest ones leave…». He begins the interview with one of his jokes Davide Arzeni, the historic sporting director of the blue-fuchsia team. Who then adds: «And in any case it's impossible: you never leave Valcar».
The “Boss” was moved by the interview he had a few days ago with the owner of the Valcar-Travel & Service, Valentino Villa. Words that struck him. An important chapter closes not only for Arzeni, but also for the team and, we don't think we're exaggerating, for Italian women's cycling.
This Bergamo reality has really had a huge impact on the growth of the women's movement in Italy, Especially in recent years. The results speak for themselves, and even more so the large number of girls who have emerged from that youth system.
Davide, let's start with the interview: Villa had some nice things to say about you...
Well yes, It was an important interview that moved me. It's nice to hear these words from such an influential person in my professional life and beyond... The “father and uncle” scene is all true. Just as not only the things he said are true but the words he used.
So it's also true that one day you'll form a cyclocross team. Would that be the closing of the loop?
Yes, that's true too. We promised each other.
A new chapter begins for you and Valcar. At a certain point, with so many offers, we believe, did you feel you had to leave?
For me it was not an easy choice, just as important choices in life are never easy. And as important choices should be shared with the most important people. Those in my private life, like my family and my wife, and those in my professional life, Valentino Villa. Before making the decision, I talked to him about it. I didn't go to Valentino and say, "Bye, I'm leaving."
What's it like standing there now, knowing you're going to leave?
After a somewhat strange initial period immediately after making the decision, I'm really not thinking about it much now. I'm completely focused on the races. (While he's on the phone with us, he's checking out the Plouay circuit where his girls raced today, ed.) And I want to do well. And the girls, both those who are leaving and those who are staying, are also thinking about what needs to be done now and not in 2023.
You have had, and are having, an excellent season…
Without taking anything away from anyone, but I think that this year was Valentino's true masterpiece.
Why?
Why start again after the world champion had left? (Elisa Balsam, ed.), la Guazzini... (the year before they had also lost the Martha Cavalli, ed) it wasn't easy. And yet, despite everything, we're eighth overall in the UCI rankings, ahead of many WorldTour teams. We've scored ten victories with six different riders... This is also why we're focused on the end of the season. We want to finish strong. We're highly motivated.
This aspect of motivation isn't so obvious. Often in football, players tend to "give up" when they know the coach is leaving, not listening to him too much. Isn't that the case with you?
Ninth… There was a bit of a difficult moment when my decision to leave emerged, but now the group's atmosphere is calm. There's a sense of sharing. And all those words Valentino said to you convey the idea of this serenity, precisely, that exists within the team.
So, are you ready to enjoy Valcar?
We're all competitive, from me to Villa, from the staff to the girls: we like to do well and we like to win. And it's not like we don't see each other anymore! I don't have the feeling of someone who is about to leave, or worse yet, abandon. There is total sharing.
Is it true that you're also looking for your successor to leave the team in the best possible hands?
It's already in the best possible hands. Villa is a guarantee. When Arzeni came to Valcar, the team was already there, and when he leaves, it won't collapse. In 2015, when I arrived, Consonni and Perch, Cavalli, Balsamo… all those athletes who then became the solid foundation of the team. They were there thanks to Villa's work. Thanks to his knowledge of the youth world, of women's cycling. And that's how he managed to create such a strong junior group.
Do you have a goal, a "thing" to achieve, before you leave?
"Well," Arzeni sighs, "I won't tell you the biggest one! The goal is to win. But let's put it this way: Valentino's favorite number is seven. We're eighth in the standings, and our goal is to climb one more spot. Now there's this thing that's been ringing in my head.
So, are you telling us that there's no sense of "breaking the lines"?
Absolutely not. Not even from those who won't be racing with Valcar next year. And all of them, at least from what I know, already have a contract for next year: both those who stay and are confirmed, and those who move to a new team and have signed important contracts. There's no girl who thinks: "I'm going fast because I have to find a team." Persico bites, Chiara Consonni He's out injured, but he's a caged tiger who can't wait to run. In fact, if I really had to say: I see them improving. They seem more on form than before. La Cypresses It gives me great feelings, the same goes for Piergiovanni. Sure, every now and then there's that hint of nostalgia.
Guy?
The other day for example I heard Ilaria (Sanguineti, ed.) tell Persico: "These are the last ones I'll do with you." But they are united. Even a couple of days ago, at the Kreiz Breizh Elites Féminin, they didn't win, but they did a great team job.
A beautiful adventure, come on…
We used to go to the races and they'd ask us, "Valcar? What's a team?" Now we show up at WorldTour races because we're entitled to it, and you know that there's no draw for the team car positions, but rather the ranking of those present. Well, right on time, after the first 3-4 teams, here comes Valcar. In short, now they recognize and respect us.
