Fausto Scotti said it right: Michele Bartoli, the one from the two Lieges and Flanders, is about to debut in cyclocross with his own cycling school. It will be called Michele Bartoli Academy.
The Pisan will have his brother Mauro at his side and it is no coincidence that the idea was born a few months after the death of father GrazianoHe was the one who put them both on bikes and accompanied them to the cross-country racetracks. Michele took a second and a third place at the Italian championships, Mauro won the Italian junior championship.
It's no coincidence that this is happening this year.
It's no coincidence at all. Dad is the one who started it all. My brother keeps the windbreaker and cap my father wore when he won the Italian championship. And he says he'll bring it out when it's his son's turn.
So what is it all about?
A project I'd like to carry forward with all the right criteria. I've involved Giovanni Stefania, a graduate in Sports Science, very good, who works in our Center in LunataWe'll get together some kids who care about cross-country, now that motocrossers are in fashionThen we'd like to create a pipeline of talent who also races on the road.
Will you do it alone?
As for financial support? No, there are some historic youth cycling brands in Tuscany. Is there? system data which has been with us since the first editions of the Gran Fondo. And there is Donati Doors, who sponsored cycling when I was racing in the youth teams.
He told us about this thing Fausto Scotti, the national team's coach…
He did well and when the season starts, we'll be asking him a lot of questions. His experience will be very useful to us..
What did your cyclocross training do for you?
To win Flanders, for example. I've often said that that sprint on the Grammont, with my hands under my feet and my weight centered, I owe to cross-country. You learn certain things on the cobblestones as a kid. A road racer only benefits from it, as long as he doesn't overdo it...
Who's exaggerating?
Van der Poel must chooseThree specialties are too many. Mountain biking is too much. Instead Van Aert does it the right way and it shows in the results. The human body is not inexhaustible, the forces are counted.
How many kids are we talking about?
There are 12, but we have received requests for many more. The boys need to be looked after carefully., then maybe next year they'll make more.
What bikes will they race with?
They will be marked Michele Bartoli AcademyThey are made by a company near me called Atacama.
