Daniele Punctual he is fully convinced of his calls in view of the Europeans of Namur scheduled for the weekend. He brought 17 riders to the national team covering all categories and this is already an important result considering that some of the big names (starting with the world bronze medal Perch) have not yet started their season. Yet creating the team was not so simple, even if Pontoni has forged the core group, the one relating to the youth categories, over time, taking him to compete in Spain at the beginning of the season with one goal: to form a team.
«Given the numbers and results of the last races – begins the citizen, opening the gravel world championship with Chiara Teocchi – and also considering the characteristics of the route, this is the best team you could haveThere are also other valid riders who deserved to be considered, but I want to point out that the season still has three months of racing, there will be other opportunities, those who are not there must feel encouraged to do better to earn the call-up."
Venturelli is missing…
Yes, it's the only weightlessness we have. She has symptoms of cough and phlegm, we preferred not to risk her, in agreement with her club as well. I waited until the last minute to decide, but then I chose this way. Federica had recovered from the arm injury she sustained at the road world championships and was making progress, but given the situation and also considering the season she's had, which was so full of road and track, I prefer to have it fresher later, thinking about the World Cup, especially from a mental point of view.
The call-ups closely mirror those made for the youth categories for their first matches in Spain. How important was that trip?
A lot, it allowed us to team up, especially because we were mostly with very young guys. Among the juniors, for example, we will have 5 starters, two of which are in their first year as Bosio e Viezzi, boys who have given good performances and have taken the jersey by facing the races with boldness. With them there will be Cafueri, Paccagnella e Scappini, more experienced, but behind there are many other guys who are growing, I'm thinking for example of Travella e StenicoThe same can be said for those under 23: with Bergagna, Leone, Masciarelli e Toneatti I've been working together for a long time, and since September we've formed a very close-knit group. The results show they're the strongest.
Let's start with the Under 23s: what can they do?
In Tabor, in the World Cup, Toneatti he was among the last at the start and yet his lap times were very close to those of the first And riding behind, with overtaking and contact, is much more difficult, so I think he can do very well. The juniors, however, are a different story...
What?
The boys had really disappointed me at Tabor and I told them so. In the World Cup, for me, they are top 5, but results come from racing with attention and head and they didn't have it.In Maasmechelen I changed many names, sending a signal: you have to stay humble and travel with your feet on the groundIf they do everything right, they will get great satisfaction on the Belgian course. They know I have a lot of faith in them, but they need discipline and attention.
How much does Venturelli's absence weigh?
A lot, but Valentina Crows on that course she climbed onto the podium in the World Cup, she particularly likes the Namur trackArianna will be with her. White, European junior MTB champion, is in her first year in the category, she must race with the utmost serenity and learn as much as possible.
In Tabor he impressed the Single house, who after dominating the Giro d'Italia came close to reaching the Top 10, which however was almost entirely populated by Dutch riders.
Sara seems reinvigorated by the change of team, she is returning to her usual levels. In Tabor she started from the fourth row and did something remarkable. I know how much it's worth, the new air has given it new stimuli, but also be careful with the Gariboldi because the path suits her. Among the under 23s we will have three youngsters like Carlotta Borello, Alice Chat and Asia Zontone, could do well in a top-level context.
Among the elite there will be only Bertolini…
Gioele is slowly finding his feet. On that path, getting into the top 10 would be a feat for him, but I know he can do it.
As you were saying, there are some important absences…
Dorigoni he just finished the mountain bike season, I know Persico will start on November 26th and then follow the whole calendar to be at the top for the World ChampionshipsI would have liked to see her at the Gravel World Championships. I'm sure she could have surprised everyone there, too, but we shouldn't forget that her season has been incredibly busy. I start from one premise: forcing athletes to compete is never a good idea; you have to race with desire and be hungry. I have a lot of faith in Silvia for the World Championships, that path suits her like a glove and the same goes for VenturelliBut let's take it one step at a time: let's go to Namur with a clear conscience and the knowledge that we can do well.
