The anticipation is growing. Sunday in Vermiglio the Italian stage of the World Cup cyclocross will be a first for the circuit, because it will be raced on snow and this will greatly influence the race. The unknowns, as Martino Fruet pointed out which is the testimonial of the event, there are technically many, but that the snow will be completely white is almost certain: "It would have to be 60 degrees to melt all the snow" comments Daniele Pontoni smiling, the Italian national team player who took advantage of the weekend without any World Cup events (the one in Antwerp was cancelled due to Covid regulations) for a training camp with the young Italians and future Italians.
Pontoni, who has high expectations for the Italian stage, speaking about the challenge on the snow is quite sure that there won't be any major shocks from a technical point of view: «It will have a big impact on how the terrain is treated, but from what we know it will be like a cross-country ski trail, perfectly groomed and then it will be like running on a smooth surface.. It's clear that the weather will also have an impact, if part of that layer of snow melts and mud forms, which will affect the bikes and the riders' riding skills."
Will tire choice be more important than on other occasions?
I do not believe. A well-trodden terrain could also lead to having to race the whole race with the same bike, otherwise you will have to be careful in choosing the right moment to change gear.We've seen in previous stages how pit stops can significantly impact the outcome of the race. It's clear that on a course like the one the riders will face in Vermiglio, those most suited to that type of terrain and riding in extreme conditions will emerge.
How do we Italians find ourselves, historically speaking, on similar paths?
We're not used to it, that's for sure... Races on snow rarely happen, at most a couple a year, and often it involves a few sprinkles that make the course marshy and muddy, no more and no less than those you normally find. In Vermiglio, however, it will be a blank slate and on those routes the Northern European riders are certainly more accustomed., but in this case we need to go further.
In what sense?
First of all considering that it will be an opportunity for a unique experience. Competing on something new gives a special feeling and is a source of great interest even for those who live for this discipline.It will be a great show, even for those like me who have seen so many and I do not hide the fact that I am waiting for this Sunday with curiosity, even with a thread of hope in the heart that could represent a step forward towards the entry of this discipline into the Winter Olympics.
Van Aert said he was awaiting Vermiglio with some trepidation, but in the meantime, on Saturday, in his Superprestige debut at Boom, he put huge gaps on everyone, despite starting from the third row…
I've said it many times: the "three tenors" are ahead of the others, not by one, but by at least three spans... They may start from the back row, it will take them longer to climb up, but they will always be the ones playing for the victory, they are too superior to the others. I know that pidcock he is currently in lower form, he needs another 2-3 weeks to reach the top, We'll see Van Der Poel when he returns, Van Aert will already be at a very high level.
In the meantime, it has made the news in Italy Bryan Olivo's decision to focus on road and track, leaving cyclocross: are you afraid you've lost it?
No, with BryAn and his family have a friendship that goes beyond cyclocrossI spoke with him at length, I know that this year he will focus on the other two disciplines, but I'm hopeful that next winter he will return to cyclocross, maybe not the whole season, but at least the important part, I expect to have the title races at my disposal.
Aren't you afraid that Brian's performance is a sign that things won't really change and that the road will always swallow up the best elements of cyclocross?
I'm optimistic, but we certainly have to consider that many entities gravitate in this world: clubs, agents, trainers, each with their own ideas and beliefs. A compromise between the parties is needed, for the good of everyone, especially the children.
