Road bike or gravel? What kind of routes? What starting points? If the first gravel world championship it was a success it is also true that There's still a lot to fine-tune in terms of regulations. And the bulk of the pie falls to the UCI.
After the tricolour of Argenta we talked about it with Massimo Ghirotto. Now always with him, president of the off-road commission Italian Cycling Federation, let's get back to the topic.
Judges in turmoil
In addition to their usual control work, the judges in Cittadella UCI They also took notes, studied the situation and incorporated observations. More often than not, they took photos to use, we imagine, in the report. A report more important than on other occasions. The basis starts from here.
"Let's say that from now on," Ghirotto explains, "the UCI officials will take care of it. Something needs to be studied. As in Argenta, it was more of a zero edition than a first edition. to understand how gravel races will really go.
«The organization and Philip Pozzato They worked miracles, especially in making the route safe: 140 kilometers of line, plus the final circuit. For me, that was the hardest part. On Sunday evening, after the World Cup, I saw a more relaxed Pippo. 40 municipalities were involved, ranging from gravel and asphalt roads, private and national roads... Also for this reason I believe that in the future the UCI, as we at the FCI are already doing, will be able to take into consideration the idea of racing on a circuit. Even large circuits, 40-50 kilometers long., certainly easier to control."
The format is there. The riders were positively impressed: now everything needs to be fine-tuned. It needs to be brought up to speed.
«One of the problems to be solved – continues Ghirotto – it is undoubtedly that of the women's start and the amateur men's starts. It's inevitable that at a certain point some of the men will go after the women (maybe not the top ones, ed.). They mix up, and somehow the women's race is no longer perfectly linear."
Which bikes?
Another topic: free bikes or mandatory gravel bikes? Here, in our opinion, the brands' stance will also play a major role, a bit like what happened with the advent of disc brakes. Regardless of the more or less technical path, It is conceivable that manufacturers want to impose the gravel bike. Especially if this specialty were to reach the Olympics, as is already being rumored.
The example of Canyon It was emblematic. The German company played a bit with the use of the Grizl (the gravel model) by Van der Poel, when then at the last minute the Dutchman chose the adapted road bike. And VdP knew it… But meanwhile for three days the whole world was talking about the Grizl.
«Gravel bike or not – comments Ghirotto – it always comes back to the same thing: starting from the rules. We as a Federation must follow the UCI, I already said it last time. Let's wait. I believe some important clarifications are already being considered.
«Personally, I think it's unlikely that the world championship will be restricted to gravel bikes only. Because the world panorama is limited, the presence of certain athletesI see a road bike that allows the mounting of wide tires as easier."
Smooth paths
Oss and many other pros said that in the end three changes of direction and two jumpers were enough to make the difference. The type of tracks can therefore be suitable for a race. Then there may be some more or less technical sections, or some more climbs, but you won't see the super wild 300-400 kilometer tracks.
«I would say no – says Ghirotto – It seems to me that the UCI has already set a limit in this sense, especially if you want to involve athletes from important teams. If gravel becomes something heroic, then it's no longer a race.
"In Cittadella, there was a decent flat section, but if there were a bit more elevation gain, there would definitely be a few kilometers less. Otherwise, the race would become too tough. In general, I expect the UCI to take charge of this specialty."
Blue atmosphere
Finally to Ghirotto, who has always felt the national team shirt very much, we ask what the atmosphere was like in the Italian clanA mixed clan of cross-country riders, road racers, and bikers.
«Beautiful – concludes Ghirotto – I had the honour of attending the technical meeting of both women and men and I saw riders like Daniel Oss, who have experienced the most important cycling in the world, listen with interest to the advice of Pontoni and Celestino. The boys and girls were attentive, humble, sincere. And then I saw them having fun. A different group than usual..
«I saw myself a bit again as a rider who listened to the advice of Boifava and it was always me who gave advice as a team manager to my MTB boys and girls."
