He had promised it since his first outing, which was also a winning one, on the meadows and Filippo Grigolini He's a guy who usually keeps his promises. Middelkerke the rider from Udine won the European junior title, succeeding in the roll of honour of Mattia Agostinacchio, with whom had occupied the podium at the last world championships. That bronze had been completely unexpected, this time however he knew he was running with the weight of the prediction on his shoulders., at least to win a medal.
The Friulian is increasingly in the spotlight, so much so that even the WorldTour teams have set their sights on him and in fact he is in the orbit of Decathlon AG2R. But in the meantime there is a gold medal to celebrate which he was particularly fond of: «I had said it, after the first victory at the Tour of the Regions that that was my first goal and I was working towards that. It was certainly a great emotion, something that I will always carry with me because it represents the first crowning achievement of the work done.».
Was it easier or harder than you thought?
I must say that the race lived up to my expectations. I was convinced that, even though we hadn't had the opportunity to compete abroad, our level was high and we could compete. We hadn't decided on any tactics beforehand, but the city Punctual He told us that we had to run at the front and secure the medals because we could both win them. Then we would have fought for the win head-on, and that's what we did. I definitely had a little more luck, but being on the podium together was truly exceptional.
So you ran, at least in the first part, helping each other, playing as a team?
In a certain sense, yes. In fact, by pulling first, Pezzo Rosola and then I, we made a selection and went away together with the Belgian. I then pulled away because I wanted to finish alone and be sure.
The route seemed more difficult than expected, how did you feel on the sand?
I really liked the track, even though I'm certainly not used to sand. The Italian routes are very different, but we now have a certain habit of competing abroad, in Belgium, where you often find tracks like this, so we're prepared. I haven't trained on sand this year, but let's just say I had a good time.
How much of an impact did the walking portion have? There was a very long section where we ran.
Yes, the last stretch on the sand was all on foot and had a big impact. We can also say that it was there that I was able to make the most difference when I got going and widened my lead. I think that Running has always been part of the technical baggage of a cyclocross rider and I deeply love this discipline, so also technically I want to take advantage of all the opportunities.
You're about to move to Decathlon. When will your first training camp be with them?
This question allows me to explain my situation well. Next year, my second year as a junior, I'm going to Autozai Contri, but still being followed by the Decathlon AG2R staff, before joining the French team in 2027. I will still take part in some races abroad with the French team next season, but for the entire Italian calendar I will wear the Autozai jersey. As for the retreats, I will do the initial one with Decathlon at the end of FebruaryIt will be an important opportunity to connect with the environment, also with a view to the future. However, I won't be at the Autozai training camp because it will take place during the final phase of the cyclocross season.
So you're focused on cyclocross with the approval of your teams...
Yes, in fact I will do the entire World Cup, closing the season at the World Championships. It is important that I can dedicate myself 100 percent to the activity.I care a lot about the road, but I'll have time and opportunity to think about it, right now I have pressing commitments awaiting me.
Even more so now, given that everyone will be looking at you at the World Championships: third place at the last edition, you're the European champion, is showing up at the world championship race as a point of reference for you an advantage or a disadvantage?
I think it's a good thing, first of all mentally because this victory, the way it came about, the way I built it in the days and weeks before gives me the awareness that I can do it, so I'm happy with this. It's clear that everything starts from scratch, each race is different, but in the meantime I have a prestigious jersey and I'm among the contenders for the rainbow jersey.
In your approach to the French team, did you also talk about cyclocross?
Yes and that's why I chose it. It's the team of Sparfel, who won the European Championship in 2023 and was also a protagonist in Middelkerke, but in the meantime he did great things during the road season. Then there are others, there was also a Frenchman among my opponents who I will find as a teammate. They are staunch supporters of dual activity, for me it is the best solution for continued growth.
