It was him, Martino Fruet, who christened the first edition of the cross on the snow in Val di Sole. The organizers made it the protagonist of the launch video and we also filled him with questionsToday the Trentino-born rider is 46, he has already won in 2023 and a few days ago he finished fifth in Motta di Livenza. Cross-country skiing still flows through his veins, with the same carefree attitude as always.. And so, four days after Vermiglio's return to the snow (Podetti photo at the beginning), Let's start from him and from the idea he has of this very particular race, wanted by Flanders Classics when it began to be said that cross-country skiing could enter the Winter Olympics.
Do you think it will become a classic?
You say they believe in it? Let's say that other locations might also have the possibility of organizing events on the snow, we need to see what importance the UCI wants to give itUnfortunately, this isn't the best time of the season. Except this year, when the big names are starting late, December is the month when those who also make the road go on retreat in the warmthIt's like the races in the USA, where mostly those who want to follow the World Cup in general and the local athletes go. However the idea is there and it is particular, it's like the Roubaix, but you have to keep up with it and work to make it interesting.
In what sense?
Last year, they complained that there was too much fresh snow on Saturday. Actually, I'm just Martino Fruet and I'm now pushing 47, so I rode on Saturday and Sunday too. On Saturday you were riding a motocross bike and a good one, more or less, did everything on the bike and if you fell you wouldn't be hurt.But on Saturday night they cleared away a lot of snow. It was freezing at night, and it got worse because they kept falling. And when you fall on ice, you get hurt too.So you always have to find the right balance. After all, these are the first editions, you never know how it's going to end. The first year, in my opinion, came out very well., because the conditions were stable and there was the right amount of snow on Saturday and Sunday.
A lot depends on the weather, actually…
There's already snow this year, and more is expected today. Now there are 20 centimeters of it, it's already all whiteOn Tuesday they started driving the poles, then they went over with the cat to give them a final tug so they settled in properly. On the other hand, they changed the route at the last minute, staying closer to the finish line, eliminating the longest climb that leads to the upper section. (The plan provided at the presentation still shows it, ed.) It was challenging for the public, and in the end, the difference was made on the descent and the high traverse. I think they want to add a couple of bumps in the finish area to keep the race more focused and see almost all of it without having to go too far.
No specific solutions have been developed for the bikes; in fact, only the tyre sections and pressures are affected…
You have the limit that According to the rules, nails cannot be used, which would probably make a big differenceMaybe some rider who lives in Finland uses them, who trains on ice and that's why they're essential. But since the rules don't allow it, there's little you can do, so you have to get the best out of them. what you have. If there is no ice, there is not much difference between mud and snow. The big problem is visibility, so you have to use the clearest lenses and drive by feel. And then there's the cold, so clothing becomes important.Standing in the snow makes you freeze much quicker.
Last year it was less strict, wasn't it?
It depends on your point of view. In 2021, it was 7 degrees below zero, last year it was 5. Is there a big difference? It was cold anyway, especially since from the start onwards the route is always in the shade.The only part that sees half an hour of sun is the finishing straight and if they do some stretches above. If the path gets the sun, the ground softens and mud comes out. So in the end, to keep it all white, they will remain in the lower part. I don't think having 10 meters of mud would change much., but it is preferable that it is all in the snow.
Without the uphill walking section, do the opportunities to put your shoes in the snow disappear?
It depends on how they make the ribbon. If you go down a sharp bend and you can't stay in the saddle, you have to get off and walkBut this will depend a lot on how they mark it; we'll only know on the eve of the race. Tuesday night there were poles, now they'll come in with a snowmobile and tread on the snow a bit. Then they'll start putting up the sponsors' banners and slowly they'll mark everything out. It should snow again today, the trail will be ready but closed by FridayThey're starting to get rolling on Saturday, and I don't think 50 riders passing through for an hour and a half can do much damage.
Hoping we don't have to haul away any snow like last year.
I think they won't make the same mistake. I think they'll just pull it off, they need to leave the layer of snowIf they make it too low, it turns into ice, and that's no good. It's better to leave it 10 centimeters than to increase it to 3 and risk it becoming a sheet of ice in the cold night. Because if the ice breaks down with the passages, it becomes even worse., because underneath the ground it is really very hard.
Will we hear Martino Fruet as a speaker in Vermiglio again this year?
I don't want to steal anyone's job, I am the technical commentator alongside the speakerTomorrow I'm running the cross country course at Ponte a Faè in Oderzo, then I'll go up, I will try on Saturday morning together with the others and then I will gladly get in the cabin with Paolo Mei.
Why did you initially wonder if the UCI really believes in this race?
We talked about the calendar. It would be useful to have a race in the area the day before, in Italy or maybe in SwitzerlandI know that Van Kessel will race in Faè di Oderzo, but I imagine they contacted him. On the 9th he will go to Val di Sole and on the 10th he will participate in the World Cup. If you want to give it importance, you have to put it in January, but in January on that track there is cross-country skiing And it would be difficult to find hotel rooms, which is still quite a feat. You could consider Livigno, but you risk running at minus 20 degrees Celsius, and that wouldn't be possible. If the discussion remains tied to Val di Sole, the place is Vermiglio. It remains an extraordinary race, however.
We were talking about the Winter Olympics…
I've heard that, but I'm not too sure about it. It would really be a turning point, but cross-country skiing has been around for a hundred years and they've never done anything official.Snow races have always been held; once upon a time, when it snowed more heavily, it wasn't uncommon to run on snow. I have photos of Longo and Di Tano running on snow-covered courses. But are we sure that the winter sports federations want the UCI to enter their Olympics? It's all yet to be seen, but for now let's just enjoy it like this, it's sure to be a spectacle.
