The most important week for Italian cyclocross is approaching, with the closure of the Tour of Italy January 6th in Sant'Elpidio and the following weekend's tricolours in Lecce, but in the environment there is still talk of the San Fior race, won by Dorigoni last December 30th, and especially of Fabio Aru's new outing. This experience on the meadows is giving him back the pleasure of cycling and this is already great news, so much so that the Sardinian is thinking of competing also in the Apulian tricolour event, after Ancona's unexpected debut. Technically speaking, what do these first releases of yours say?
A weighty opinion can be had by those who “pedalled against him”, by those who shared with the new purchase of the Qhubeka-Assos mud and sweat. First of all Jakob Dorigoni, who actually won the Treviso race.
The Italian champion doesn't hold back. As soon as he finishes his daily training session, he expresses his opinion. underlining a point that he said was important.
«Even before the technical point of view – says Dorigoni – the thing that struck me most was his expressionI saw him relaxed but happy, as if he had rediscovered the warmth of a familyCyclocross is like that, the teams divide us, but for the rest we are a single group and now Aru is part of itIt is clear that cyclocross is not something new for him, but it is clear that 8 years of separation are making themselves felt. He may lack some practice, as if it were necessary remove rust from certain mechanisms, but it's only a matter of time."
Did you have a chance to see him in action, even though you were in front of everyone?
Certainly, it seems to me that best race after raceIt should not be forgotten that, when he competed in his younger years, he was also very good and you certainly cannot forget how to ride a bicycle… I am convinced that he just needs peace and time to find himself again, even in cyclocross.
Physically, how did you see him?
Thin as ever, in the upper part of the body extremely tight and even with some visible muscle. The legs are dry like those of those who have already put in kilometers in the farmhouse. Certainly there is still a lot of work to do, but we are on the right path, at least in my opinion.
Is he right to set his sights on the Italian championships?
He's doing very well, he has to keep competing, because every occasion will make him go fasterIt's part of growing up. In his case, the final result won't be crucial, but being there will be.
Let's talk about Dorigoni: where are you at?
I feel good, I feel good, to be growing exactly the way I wanted, slowly to be at the top when needed, at the end of January for the World Cup. I know that an important month has begun and I'm leaving nothing to chance.
Watching the international competitions over the holidays, did you miss having the opportunity to have some direct comparisons?
Honestly yes, it would have given me that little something extra, especially as a perception of my level, would have given me that little bit more to get to 100 percent. I think now there will be no more opportunity, it is better to continue on the path taken, also considering the difficulties in travel, and concentrate everything on the world championship race.
Let's try to express a dream: what kind of climate and course would you like at the World Championships?
Mud or dry ground it doesn't matter, I only have one wish: that it's not cold…
