Valentina's silver medal Crows At the last European cyclocross championships she highlighted the situation of the women's movement. With her and the Venturelli, Punctual has a pair at his disposal capable of making the difference on any type of route, but the Italian citizen also looks beyond, because Many new, highly capable teams are growing up around the two stars of junior cyclocross, all of them passionately dedicated to the winter discipline. while also looking, like their more successful peers, at other specialties.
The same can be said among the under 23s, where the change in category is certainly somewhat affected (but also the relative lack of commitment caused by the road career) of Realini and, to a lesser extent, Baroni. New talents are emerging, however, and it's time to get to know them.
Bianchi divided by three
In Namur, somewhat hidden by the monstrous performance of the Corvi, Arianna White she almost entered the Top 10 (opening photo) which would have represented a great achievement for a girl in her first year in the category, fresh from winning the European junior title in MTB and already a good protagonist at Tour of Italy of cyclocross: «I started as a little girl in the youth teams, but I started doing things more seriously already among the beginners – says the 16-year-old from Lograto (BS) – For now I don't have a favorite discipline, I divide myself between three and I think that each one gives me something».
On the road Bianchi races for the Biesse Carrera and her successes in mountain biking have not distracted her from her possibilities with the superlight: «Yet between road and mountain biking, my favorite discipline is still cyclocross. It's true that I won the European offroad championship and that on the road I almost won the Italian title, but cyclocross comes easier to me. I think that in the end cyclocross gives a lot to other disciplines and the other disciplines give to cyclocross: however, I especially love the off-road events because they prioritize technique."
Kabetaj, from Albania with ambitions
Nelia is the one who was left out of the European Championships, but will certainly have the opportunity to wear the blue jersey being under the spotlight of the Italian coaches. Cabetaj, another emerging talent from the Giro d'Italia. His name betrays the family's Albanian origins and his beginnings on the bike are decidedly original: «I was 7 years old, my father had had a bad accident at the time and I wanted to do something that would make him proud of me., so since I liked cycling so much, I asked him if I could participate in some races with other kids. He's a cycling enthusiast and didn't say no."
Kabetaj has just started to emerge this year: «It's not easy to make everything fit together, I had physical problems, then you have to take the others into account too.. I also struggle a lot with combining sports and school. This year, let's say things are generally going better and the results are showing. Changing my major helped me; now I'm at the technical institute for surveyors."
Nelia also varies between the various disciplines: «In the summer I prefer mountain biking but I don't neglect the road. I couldn't say what I prefer, let's just say I still have to find out. I definitely find off-roading more fun, especially outside of a competitive context."
Nelia has a role model: "Van Aert. I studied his cycling style, his riding ability, the way he moves his arms and shoulders. He's a role model for me, even as a person."
Zontone, a column for Pontoni
A bit older, so much so that she's part of the U23 category and has even become somewhat of a point of reference after moving up to the Elite ranks with Baroni and Realini, is Asia Zontone, a 21-year-old from Friuli. She stands out from the others not only in her age, but also in her greater propensity for the road: "Until two years ago I preferred mountain biking, but then I re-evaluated the road: this year I also won a stage at the Giro delle Marche with the Isolmant Premac Vittoria. I'm good on climbs and I'm fast enough for races that aren't geared towards bunch sprints."
Asia is a fundamental element for Pontoni also because he knows her well: «I raced for 4 years with Daniele as sport director. They weren't easy years, I got hurt often, but he was always close to me and now that I've found my way, also thanks to a change in my preparation, things are going better.Pontoni has brought a wonderful atmosphere to the national team, it feels like family, but when it comes to work and being serious, he doesn't allow for exceptions. He's building a great team, going on away trips with the Azzurri is a pleasure, a strong bond has been established."
The importance of teamwork in cyclocross
What's it like working in the Italian team, especially during training camps and on non-competition days?The days are very full: training in the morning, then lunch strictly without cell phones, free afternoon between studying and massages, evening briefingPontoni wants us to stay in a group, to communicate rather than remain glued to the phone."
Asia finished the European Championships in 12th place, but is already looking ahead: «I have big goals, but to achieve them I have to improve a lot in every aspect. For me my career has started now, I don't even know if I should develop it more in cyclocross or on the road, I'd like it on both sides. The important thing is to feel more like an athlete, which is happening now."
