Verdicts same as seven days earlier. Giro d'Italia cyclocross stopped in Osoppo and in the two main races, the Open ones, the winners were the same as those of Corridonia. Gioele Bertolini and Sarah Single house They have confirmed that they have an edge and are looking with optimism to the upcoming events, also starting to think about how to translate this internal superiority into good results on the international stage.
Casasola is especially concerned, having won at home and also chasing away the ghosts of previous bad experiences: «I really wanted to do well in the Osoppo race, where a few years ago I was forced to retire in the rain and lost the pink jersey.I couldn't and didn't want to make a mistake here."
Casasola, a year of problems
New purchase of the Selle Italia Guerciotti Elite, the Friulian wanted to start off strong immediately, thinking back to what happened during the year: «I prepared calmly, considering that I already closed the road season with the Giro di Toscana at the end of August. The road races in the summer were mainly used to regain confidence with the bike after being stopped for three months due to physical problems that had effectively affected the whole year.I've basically wasted a year, and I'm disappointed because I started well, between Strade Bianche and Cittiglio, which had given me confidence. Considering that I've only finished about ten races, it's truly a wasted year."
In the meantime, however, the panorama of cyclocross has changed, the experiences of the various VDP and Van Aert have set a precedent and also some Italian big names like Perch e Brawls have significantly reduced their commitment to cyclocross looking further ahead in the season: «It's honestly a shame because we know very well that the races would be very different if they were present., but in the meantime this principle also applies to many protagonists abroad, then I am used to looking at my own garden and not that of others.
A level that is always very high
«Certainly the type of races changes, with them present they would be more close. In Osoppo it turned out to be a very tactical test, with me, the Gariboldi , Bulleri that we took turns trying out the attacks and then slowing down, in the end it worked out well for me."
On this subject, however, Casasola would like to clarify one point: «I believe that international competitions will remain at a very high level, we also saw this in the opening of the World Cup in America. (Van Empel's victory over Alvarado and Brand with six Dutch riders ahead, ed.). Maximum effort will be needed to emerge: I'm convinced that when Silvia, Alice, and the others return, they'll find plenty to contend with..."
Gioele and team tactics
Two wins out of two, but now the Friulian has changed her tune: «I won't be there on Sunday in Porto Sant'Elpidio, I'll compete in Switzerland and then I should have some other races abroad, but after next Sunday's race we'll take stock. I hope to get into the call-ups for the European Championships and do well in the opening of the World Cup, I would be keen considering what I've been through this year.I would like a calm and, above all, consistent season, both in cyclocross and on the road, to prove my worth."
If Casasola emerged victorious from a tactical match, Bertolini was able to take advantage of teamwork once again, which ultimately led him to success also thanks to the contribution of the new arrival Ettore Loconsolo, second and leading the Under 23 rankings: «In Osoppo, good driving is very important as there are no major technical difficulties and Ettore has shown he knows how to do itThe synergistic work has worn out the opponents." "At the Selle Italia Guerciotti Elite I'm learning a lot," Loconsolo echoes, "in fact I suffered less than last week."
The first victory of his career
Different verdicts than those of Corridonia among the juniors. Alan's Zanolini (Zanolini Sudtirol Post) has a unique flavour because it's the first of his career for the rider who broke away at the second corner and stubbornly remained in the lead. At the end, there were even a few tears for the representative of the family team: «I was finally able to honor the memory of my grandfather Renzo, who passed away four years ago.It was a road race, I thought that if I tried from the beginning I would have some hope, in the end the dream came true".
Among the girls, the leader of the general classification, Arianna, will withdraw. White, who still remains at the top of the standings while Nelia were playing for the victory Cabetaj and Greta Pighi with victory for the latter, who has plenty of character as she tried to keep up with the bigger teams: «I'm in my first year, they were going too fast, but I understood that I'm here too and one day I'll succeed.».
