Stefano Viezzi is currently in the Alpecin-Deceuninck apartment in Belgium and will remain there until early January, when he returns to Italy to race the Italian cyclocross championship. It's been a long, busy, and intense period. The Friulian born in 2006 will spend the holidays away from home., but when the cyclocross season gets into full swing, there's little he can do. He also says he's gotten used to it and that it's not the first time he's been away from his family during the holidays.
«December is the busiest month, after all – explains Viezzi – with a calendar packed with commitments, all of them of great importance. I'm not the only one spending the holidays at the team house in Belgium, many kids will be here."
World Cup
La second season of cyclocross with the jersey of I have to team up of Alpecin-Deceuninck, for Stefano Viezzi (in the opening photo Yefrifotos), it began with a victory in Tarvisio ahead of Bertolini and Ceolin. There was time to include two more appointments in Italy and then the boy from San Daniele del Friuli packed his bags for the North, with the clear goal of arriving ready for the first World Cup event in Tabor.
«Apart from the first race in Tarvisio – says the Friulian – the others didn't go exactly as I would have liked. However, I have noticed one condition always top and this gave me confidence for my World Cup debutIn Tabor the course was fast and I managed to get on the podium in the U23 race (he finished third, ed.). I repeated the result in Flamanville, where, however, I got off to a bad start. My only regret is that perhaps with a different start I could have fought for the victory.
You finished the road season in September, how did you manage the transition to cross?
I was in good shape, it was a season in which I put in a lot of hard work, so I had to get used to the fatigue of cyclocross again. I was quite behind with short efforts and dedicated work, for example the classic 30-30 and sprintsI had to implement them slowly and get back to it.
So the goal is the World Cup?
I'd like to try and compete for the under-23 ranking. The European Championship was also a goal, but the race started badly due to a technical failure and I was immediately out of the game.Another event circled in red on the calendar is the World Championship, perhaps this is the main goal of the winter season.
How is this second winter going in Alpecin-Deceuninck?
I feel like my level is growing more and more, while I feel more comfortable with team dynamicsLet's just say that with a year of experience under my belt, I'm well-versed. Staying in Belgium for a long time isn't easy, it may seem trivial to say, but it's different from staying at home. Weather, language and people, everything was new and adapting wasn't easy.Then there are also the competitions.
Are they so different from those in Italy?
A lot. In Belgium, the routes vary depending on the importance of the race. For example, international level ones are less suited to my characteristics., there are several slow curves and many relaunches. The average speed is often very low. Instead I am an athlete who needs to push (also considering his 190 centimetres of height and 73 kilograms of weight).
Are you working on it?
Yes, I learn a lot by running around here. Most of the progress has come with experienceA curious thing is that the same courses change when you move from a national race to a World Cup one. For example Koksijde (where he ran yesterday in the U23 race, finishing in tenth place, ed.) and Dendermonde.
Are you training alone or with the team these weeks in Belgium?
Both things. During the week I train independently, while once a week we all train together in the park in Herentals, the same one Van Aert also shoots in. In that case we take care of the technique.
Have you already thought about how you will prepare the way?
Not yet. I'll definitely be focused on the mud until the Cyclocross World Championships, then we'll talk to the team. I imagine there will be a break and a period of adjustment to road racing.
