Samuel Zoccarato e Barbara Guarischi they are the first Italian gravel champions in history. They dominated the narrow streets of the Bassa, in the beautiful landscape of the Po Delta. And they did it at the end of races that were perhaps antithetical. A long solo for the rider of the Bardiani Csf Faizanè, a reshuffling of the cards with a final sprint for the athlete of the Movistar Team.
After the rain of the day before, the sky in Argenta is clear. There's no wind, at least not at the start. The temperature is cool. All the ingredients for a great day of cycling are there. And indeed, expectations will not be disappointed.
Zoccarato "on the ball"
This morning before the start we went to snoop around the Bardiani clan. Zoccarato, unlike others, was the only one to ask the mechanics to fit a specific ratio. He had not limited himself to using what he had found on the bike provided at the last minute by MCipollini.
«True – says Zoccarato satisfied after the arrival – remembering the experience last year at the Serenissima Gravel where I had the 42 single chainring, I asked to have a 50-34 and 11-28 in the rear. And it was useful. Otherwise, I would have only turned the smaller teeth behind. And they would have made themselves heard even more. Especially in this wind."
Zoccarato ran away after about thirty kilometers.
"There was a long straight with a crosswind. We were all in line and I extended. But I honestly didn't expect to struggle so much. All these kilometers alone. (about 90, ed.) There were really a lot of them on dirt roads. And in fact, at the end I was very tired. I had some cramps. Also because I couldn't get a water bottle at one of the technical sections. I tried to manage it. What can I say, it's harder than it looks. I did three and a quarter hours at full speed.
"It was a long ride. It was my first time on this bike. I only had time to test it out, and that's why it felt a little too sore."
Between fun and hard work
In the final, Zoccarato fought against fatigue. However, all things considered, he could rest easy. In fact, there were only two riders behind him, and one was wearing the same jersey as him. They were Sacha Modolo and the cross-country rider of the Beltrami Tsa, Luke Cibrario, who (he was obviously the one pulling) nibbled a good minute away from him in the final 20 kilometers.
"I underestimated the race," says a satisfied Modolo, "but it was great, come on! No potentiometer, no radio: you're the one who has to manage yourself.
«The durability of these bikes was a real discovery. I'm used to the 28mm tires on the Strade Bianche, which slide a lot, but here, after three or four corners, I realized I could lean over and push a lot more. That's also why I had fun."
«I – Zoccarato continues – managed with what I had in my pocket. I was taking in 100 grams of carbohydrates per hour, plus the water bottles I started with. Although, as I said, I didn't get one. As for the rest, between the wind and pushing hard, I occasionally tried to distract myself by looking at the scenery. But above all, I was focused on not falling, especially in the finale. I learned this too last year at the Serenissima Gravel. Because I dared, I fell and broke everything...
"The gaps? They updated me every 15 kilometers or so."
He is right Roberto Reverberi: Zoccarato is ready to jump into the fire. And speaking of Reverberi: with this victory Roberto takes home the second tricolor after that of Filippo Zana on the road.
Well done Guarischi
Half an hour before Zoccarato had, indeed Barbara Guarischi and Letizia Borghesi had crossed the finish line in a sprint. In the long sprint the Movistar athlete had the upper hand.
For Barbara, gravel was a recent novelty. She, who is also a track cyclist, found herself on dirt roads almost by chance.
«In the end – says Guarischi – These races are always tough. I started at Monsterrato two weeks ago and honestly I didn't expect to work so hard.
"Today we started slowly. Very slowly. When the amateur men caught up with us, the real brawl began. We encountered strong winds, and then when boys go... they go. To keep up with him we made some big over-revs."
«At a certain point me and Clare Teocchi we stayed behind with two other guys, while Letizia Borghesi She was in front with about ten guys. I thought it was over: ten against four... But they hesitated, so Chiara and I gave it our all to get back. Once I got back, I knew I could make my mark in the sprint. Even though I got off to a slow start, at 600 meters. I was feeling good and didn't want to take any risks."
Pontoni's hand
Following the boys and girls, there was also the cross and gravel rider, Daniel Pontoni. It was mainly him who involved Guarischi.
«This adventure started a bit as a joke with Pontoni – says Barbara – I did a lot of road races then in August I found myself without any call-ups. I had no more races, but I couldn't end the season in mid-August. So Daniele called me and told me to try it, even if it was just for fun. The result? Now every time I dial the number I pour my heart out!
And the credit for such a performance also goes to his medium, the Canyon Grail.
"That's true," Barbara smiles. "I have to thank them too. They're fantastic. Every time I need something, I pick up the phone and within three days they send me everything I need."
Track and gravel
Guarischi and Borghesi were the only WorldTour athletes to start. And this is a peculiarity. We know that Big teams are reluctant to send their athletes to these events.
"Giving more space to the girls who would have gone to the world championships," Guarischi explains, "I didn't have to race anymore, so they let me go. Now I'll do some track. In fact, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Marco Villa who's making me train with him. You know, training without a main goal isn't easy."
But now the goal is there: and it's called the Gravel World Championship. And in fact this gives Guarischi a lot of confidence and motivation.
«I don't come to gravel to win, but I'll be at the World Cup. In the meantime, I'm thinking about the Italians on the track who will start on Tuesday. Then we'll see..."
