It is an ambitious Italy that presents itself at the start of the weekend Europeans of Namur, despite many absences. In fact, cyclocross activity started this year in a different way compared to the past, with many local big names choosing the path traced by the various Van Aert e Van der Poel, that is, to dedicate themselves to competitions on the grass only late in the season, giving priority to their other activities.
This is how Jakob Dorigoni, engaged in the last seasonal MTB Marathons or Silvia Perch, struggling with the end of the year on the road like Gaia Realini (and we're just giving some examples) I'm still unfamiliar with competitions. The city Punctual he had to make a virtue of necessity and chose his own path for the Europeans, building a hard core through a long training camp filled with races held at the end of the season in Spain and aimed at the youth categories, from which the former world champion expects a lot.
The glue of the team
Samuele was present at that retreat Lion, now a mainstay of the Selle Italia Guerciotti Elite, who for Pontoni is almost a glue within the national team: «I followed all the away matches except the one on Sunday in Maasmechelen. There is a super-motivating atmosphere in the national team, which changes the approach to the competitions.».
Leone has also proven to be a valuable element for his team, for example in the stages of Tour of Italy or in Brugherio, as his opponent testified Ceolin: "Racing in cyclocross is not like on the road, in the sense that the teamwork is more episodic and different, but when it happens I'm happy to make myself available. In Brugherio there was the possibility that Bertolini If he came back from behind, it would have been foolish for me to support the breakaway. You also have to know how to race with the general interest in mind. In any case, in cyclocross, teamwork ends at a certain point. When it comes down to it, everyone races for themselves based on the energy they have left."
Top 10 goal at least…
Can this collaboration also be established in the national team? «Certainly, it happened for example in Tabor where I and Toneatti We were 7th and 8th and we helped each other to hold on and catch up with those in front. In the early and middle stages it is easier to do this, especially on certain routes».
And what about the Europeans in Namur?It's a track that I know and that tactically lends itself to various interpretations, I like it a lot.A course with a difference in altitude, which creates significant gaps, where you always have to maintain a high race pace if you want to reach the top. For me, it's a real cyclocross..."
Leone sets out with a clear goal in mind: "A top 10 is achievable, as long as there are no mechanical problems, and this also applies to my teammates; we're all more or less on the same level. Then it depends on the day, who is favorable and who isn't. As for the European title, it is known that the fight will be between the Belgians and the Dutch., in the Cup you can see that they make the difference and this time the Belgians are playing at home…».
Pontoni's youth policy
The policy of Pontoni and the FCI is clear, push hard on the youth categories to reinvigorate the Elite one in the long term and rebalance it, given the overwhelming superiority (not only against us...) of Belgium and the Netherlands, the latter in particular among the women. The women's race, as mentioned, will be without the bronze medalist Persico and the Italian fate will be entrusted to Sara Single house and Rebecca Gariboldi, the latter almost surprised by the call-up: «A little, yes, even though I know I'm in good form, which has been evident in the last few races. We're arriving at the European Championships at the end of a very intense series of races, and that's particularly good for me».
For Gariboldi, racing in the European Championships in Namur has a special meaning: «The Belgian championship is a temple of cyclocross and I've never competed there, so doing so on such an important occasion gives me extra motivation. I like such tough, challenging routes, more suited to a female biker than a road cyclist. Then it is clear that when you go like the Van Empel At the moment she dominates on any route: she is a road racer, but for me she is the big favourite on Saturday."
A national team without Persico
Persico's absence is felt, but Rebecca highlights an often overlooked aspect: «Silvia's exploits have brought visibility to the entire movement and it's clear that when she's not there, everyone expects those who wear the blue jersey like her to do the same. I can say that both Sara (Casasola, ed.) and I will give our best, then I'm not used to setting specific targets, we'll see what the race brings».
Everyone expects the usual battle between the Dutch, maybe with the You as an addition, but behind? «We could be behind it. I was thinking about how the World Cup races went and if you look carefully, behind the orange tide our jerseys appear. Why shouldn't it be the same in Namur?
