The secret of a rider is to be ready when you really need to be. Joel Bertolini (in the opening, the photos are by Lisa Paletti) had experienced a second part of the MTB season (the most important one, because it included all the title races) a bit below par, he wasn't in the form he expected. So he gave up a bit and started thinking about cyclocross. Result: at the opening of the Tour of Italy in Corridonia he was the absolute protagonist, immediately putting his stamp on the challenge.
The day after the victory in the Marche region, after a few hours of sleep left from the return journey, his mood was decidedly positive: «A victory that was needed in this period, to relaunch me towards the opening of the international season. I really liked the Corridonia course, with fast sections alternating with steep sections, including a steep section that was necessarily tackled at low speed. It's the type of course popular in Belgium and Holland, so it was a good test.
Selle Italia Triple
At the first Giro d'Italia there were many prominent names present, despite the fact that both the road and mountain bike seasons are still underway and keep many protagonists busy: «We at the Selle Italia Guerciotti Elite we played a good team game – Bertolini continues – there were 4 of us in front and My teammates allowed me to implement the tactics I wanted, emerging midway through the race with Augustine e LionIf I won, it's also thanks to them."
Bertolini is already looking ahead to an international season that should relaunch him: «It's been too long since I've experienced major events in the condition I want and so I have to be ready for Tabor, the opening of the World Cup on October 23rd, where I want to be at the forefront.I know I can play among the top 15 in the world, but I have to prove it on the pitch and I want to do it immediately, also to earn selection for the European Championships."
Young riders people okay
About this the choice of the city Punctual He's quite in agreement with giving space to the youth categories in the Cup, leaving the elite to move on their own: "He did the same last year. I know that Pontoni is in direct contact with my sports director Vito. By TanoOn the other hand, in the Cup we elite can compete with our clubs, while for the lower categories it would be more difficult to gain experiences that are fundamental, furthermore experiencing the atmosphere in the national team is always important for growth. Maybe it would be nice to break the rules a little and be there too, also to give the younger ones some "tips"., but Pontoni has such experience and charisma that his choices are beyond discussion."
Returning to the international aspect, Bertolini also has his say on the absence of the big names in the first part of the season: «It's clear that without the various Van Der Poel, Van Aert e pidcock there is more space. He is right iserbyt when he says that we must especially take advantage of the opportunities presented by their absences, because they have an extra edge. I've raced with VdP for a long time, I know you can only beat him and the others if they have a lapse, the important thing is to be ready when it comes...».
Bielli is banking on Scappini
The opening of the Giro, marked by sunshine and a somewhat bothersome wind, involved 750 riders across all categories, a truly comforting figure for the health of the movement.
In the absence of Pontoni, involved in the gravel adventure, there was his deputy Bielli to take notes on the health status of many. For example, on the juniors, where Samuele Scappini after some good results on the road he has resumed the healthy habit of winning on the grass: «I finally put a seal on my Italian national team with a victory, but I hope to replace it soon: I want to go to the European Championships to win…». The Team Fortebraccio standard-bearer found resistance especially in Tommaso Cafueri (DP66 Giant SMP), a name to note for the next stages.
Women's cycling, Casasola again
Among the girls, all competing together, Sara immediately wins. Single house, which completes the great day for Selle Italia Guerciotti Elite, after a tough three-way battle with Rebecca Gariboldi (Team Cingolani) and Alessia Bulleri (Cycling Café): «I wanted to drop them to avoid the sprint which is not my strong point, I arrived exhausted. Even though I won, I understood that there is still a lot of work to do to find the best shape, but I'm on the right track.».
Behind the three, two athletes who have just moved up a category emerge: Alice Chat (DP66 Giant Smp) takes home the pink jersey among the Under 23s, while Arianna White (Guerciotti Development) is first among the juniors, just weeks after winning the European cross-country title, which marked her exit from the youth MTB category. Another athlete to keep an eye on, and not just for cyclocross...
