On New Year's Day, more than one person was struck by the sight of Lorenzo at the Pétang race in Luxembourg. Masciarelli with a new shirt, different from the one of the Bingoal Sauzen with which we were used to knowing him. The news of his passing to the Team Colpack It arrived like this, like a New Year's Eve bang and behind that image (the opening photo is by Hervé Dancerelle/DirectVelo) It hides a profound life choice and also a great investment that the Italian team wanted to make in the Abruzzo rider.
For the son of art, the youngest member of a family that has always given so much to cycling, it means to end a long parenthesis on Belgian soil, which began when he had just entered the junior category and which involved not only his passion for cycling, but his entire existence. Now comes another profound change, which will involve the whole family.
The contact with Colpack was not born recently: «In the summer I had done some good tests, but I hadn't been able to translate them into results also because I hadn't run races that were suitable for me. – says the young rider from Pescara – but I had already decided to invest more in road racing. I had the opportunity to speak with Antonio Drink waterI explained my needs to him and he presented the team's ambitions to me. We found ourselves in perfect alignment, but before deciding... I wanted to consult with my "Belgian family", Mario From Clercq (in primis)».
And what did the former world champion tell you?
Mario knows me like the back of his hand and told me it was right to follow my own path, to take advantage of this great opportunity. We talked about it at length, and thanks in part to his words, I was convinced to accept the offer.
Knowing you, the question comes naturally: what will happen to the cyclo-crosser Masciarelli?
The idea is of continue to practice winter activity because it is too important for a rider, it gives you that explosiveness you can't get in training. Obviously, though, it will take a bit of a back seat: If before I ran on the road thinking about cyclocross, now it will be the oppositeI think I'll do like many road racers, starting the winter season later and reducing my appointments. I can't forget that It was precisely because of my love for cyclocross that I moved to Belgium. This activity has given me so much and I don't want to abandon it..
What did Colpack say about this idea? Are they in favor of letting you continue, or have you encountered more resistance?
No, they didn't put any brakes on me. It's clear that in this case we're talking about a team that does road racing, and that's what they're interested in, but they didn't force me at all; in fact, they're happy with these first appearances in the jersey in cyclocross races. Now I'll go straight to the Italian championships, then I'll take stock of the season: if an Italian call-up arrives for the World Cup and/or the World Cup (but it would be better to say: if I deserve it...) I will carry on, otherwise I will end my year on the fields to think about the road.
Do you already know what racing program you'll be doing?
No, also because being in Belgium the contacts were only by telephone, except when we saw each other in Val di Sole. Now that I'm back in Italy, an action plan will be drawn up.
This choice represents a profound transformation for you: with what spirit are you leaving Belgium?
I can't deny that I'm a little sad because here I had really made another family, with Mario, Nico The carpet, my teammates… It was an experience unlike any other, and thinking about it now that I'm back in Italy, I'm convinced it was the right choice. At 19 I have a huge amount of experience, I was able to compete side by side with people like iserbyt e Vanthourenhout who are the champions of the specialty, but I have also already had the opportunity to experience top-level road races such as the Tour of Belgium. I learned to deal with the Belgian roads, the wind, the rain and even if I'm not physically suited to those races, they are an immeasurable asset for a road racer.
And how does it feel to return to Italy?
It's like I'm going back to my old self, the one who was a student and was about to leave, leaving everything behind. It'll be a big leap, even if... I used to spend my summers in Pescara and so readjusting will be very quickBut it does have a certain effect, I can't deny it...
What do you expect from this new road cycling experience?
I want to test myself, knowing that I have a lot to learnAfter all, I've always competed alone; in the races in Italy I didn't have any teammates. Now we'll have to work as a group. I have to say that I have already found a good environment, the technicians are very close to me and we are in close contactI want to try to do well especially in the stage races, the Giro d'Italia, the Giro della Valle d'Aosta, above all summer races where there are courses more suited to my characteristics.
You define yourself as a pure climber, a specialist, a breed that is almost extinct among young Italians but highly sought after by teams…
That's my characteristic, with the addition of the explosiveness that comes from cyclocross. This is an important choice, I know that next summer I will be playing a lot, but I'm curious to see where I can get to.
