The organization of a company combined with the spirit of a family. Ceratizit-WNT It is a multinational cycling company that enjoys a hint of Italianness. It is not only due to a large presence of Italian players among the roster and staff, but also thanks to sport director Dirk Baldinger.
The German coach has had Italy, or rather the Bergamo area, close to his heart since the mid-90s. Thanks to his move to the pros with Team Polti where he remained for three seasons, working on the '96 Giro for the six days in Rebellin's pink jersey. During that period Baldinger made strong friendships that still last and that keep him practicing with our language. So much so that a chat with him about his team's current and future strategies it becomes much simpler.
Dirk, how did the classics go this period?
They didn't go badly, considering they're always fast and nervous. In some we achieved good top tens, but it's difficult to do more when there's a team like SD-WorxThey're currently too strong and no one can beat them. In fact, it's hard to keep up with them (smiles, ed.).
Upcoming commitments?
Today we run Scheldeprijs, hoping and trying to get a result. Then we'll race Roubaix, Mouscron, Amstel, and Flèche Wallonne.We're skipping Liège because we had some athletes who were ill or involved in accidents. Fortunately, nothing serious, but their bodies need to recover well and stay calm, otherwise it's counterproductive.
Overall, your start to the season has already given you satisfaction, right?
Absolutely yes, we started very well with three wins in total. At the first race in Europe, in Almeria, we won with Arianna Fidanza and the Spanish Alonso fifth. In mid-March at the Tour de Normandie, the young Frenchwoman Kerbaol won a stage and the general classificationUp there in France, Luxembourg's Berton, another of our very young drivers, won the GPM classification and we won the team classification. Of course we are happy because there were four WorldTour teams and very high competition..
You're indeed a unique continental group. What kind of background do you have?
Considering our status and last year's rankings, we are the best continental team. Think we have 16 girls representing 10 nationsWe want to be as international as Ceratizit itself. At the moment we don't have a real leader, but we have strong athletes with whom we can insert ourselves into the most important arrival orders.We are a young team that still needs to grow and try to get points.
Points that can take you to the next level?
That's right, the licenses will be reassigned in 2024. There will be a huge battle with the other teams for the coming seasons. Next year we want to become WorldTourWe have everything in order to do so. We had already applied for the license at the end of 2022, but we were unable to obtain it by very few points.This year will be important for us. We're aiming to get as many results as possible, and at the end we'll take stock.
All your Italian girls have always raved about Ceratizit. Is there a secret?
I don't know (smiles, ed.), but I'm very glad they said that. Maybe we consider ourselves a family. I think of mine, where my father helped me when I ran.But I also think about the fact that our company is truly passionate about cycling. You can tell because it also lends its name to many races. For us Ceratizite It's not just the main sponsor, but a group of people who follow us very closelyThey are happy, they believe in us and they love to discuss things and give us some advice. Let's say I tried to recreate the atmosphere I experienced with you in Italy..
Tell us about the Italian Dirk Baldinger.
In '94, I finished the season as an intern with Team Polti and turned pro with them the following year. It was a great team, but above all, a great family, truly. I lived in Bergamo for two years and I always had a great time.I go back there when I can. I raced with great champions like Bugno, rebellin, Gualdi, Abdoujaparov, Forty, Lombardi, Leblanc and many other characters. I still often speak to Gianluigi Stanga, our old sports director. Not only that, I follow the Colpack-Ballan of my ex-partner Gianluca Valoti and I take some inspiration from them.
And then there's another person you know well…
Yes, “Fido”, we are good friends (smiles as he refers to John Fidanza(her former teammate and current Isolmant team manager, ed.) Since I often look in Italy for the most interesting athletes, one day I called him and asked him for information about his daughters. I'm happy to have them both now, because they are very strong and are getting better and better.. Last year it arrived Martina, this year Arianna. Martina is a top rider on the track, but it will soon be on the road. Arianna now has a good amount of experience and can be the leader I was talking about before. in some races in the North.
What can you tell us about the rest of the blue patrol?
We've always had girls who have done very well with us. Vieceli, Magnaldi and Confalonieri never spared themselves and I thank themNow there are other Italian women on whom we count a lot. Alice (Brawls, ed) must relaunch itselfShe's a girl who has always helped her teammates a lot, but I know she can do more for herself. At the Strade Bianche she had a great race and was the best Italian. We are working because I would like him to try to rank in the Tour FemmesIn my opinion he can do well, but at the limit he could also aim for the stages. Finally a consideration on Camilla (Alessio, ed.). He's young but we want him to recover well from his health problem. We are waiting for her, in the meantime she has remained to collaborate with us.
