Davide Malacarne and Stephen ViezziThere's a 19-year difference between them, just as there are 19 years between the 2004 World Cup victory of the former and Viezzi's victory in Troyes. Just a week later, The Friulian showed up in Dublin and also won the second stage of the challenge of the cross, strengthening its lead in the rankings.
There are many similarities and many differences between the two. Malacarne, very busy with his work for Gobik and Ridley, admits that he hasn't had the time or the opportunity to see Viezzi's exploits directly, but he has followed him through the media and social media. appreciating how the Friulian managed to mend a period of abstinence that was far too longWe then decided to put them in direct contact, using the possibilities that today's technology allows, for a chat that provided many interesting insights.
A jump into the past
«Stefano's victories brought back memories – Davide begins – and I am pleased to be able to congratulate him directly, as he is shedding new light on our discipline. Unfortunately, I don't follow my world very closely, but I know what it means to be on top of the world and it's a wonderful feeling."
«I can only thank Davide for his words – Viezzi immediately replies – I'm trying my best and I'm also discovering many things. In Dublin where for the first time, wearing the leader's jersey, I knew I was the point of reference for the riders. So I ran in a defensive manner, leaving the initiative to the others until a lap and a half from the end., when I broke the ice and it went well."
Davide takes the floor again and launches a first topic of discussion: «A lot of time has passed between our two careers and Knowing Stefano now, I want to tell him not to repeat my mistakes, to be able to stay on top of the wave."
The mistakes of the “Mala”
What are these errors? «Allowing yourself to be influenced by external comments and evaluations that end up misleadingIt is undeniable – he explains – that our times lived on the bike are different, today we are in the era of multidisciplinarity. Examples such as those of Van der Poel e Van Aert they have changed everything, they are influencing the very culture of our sport. Back then it was different, it was a more radical cycling where the cyclo-cross rider was seen as the loser. The second-rate guy who was almost forced to choose the street without a hitch. But complete change, especially here amidst Italy's deep-rooted traditions, takes time, and that's why Stefano must resist external pressure.
«I really hope I don't find myself in a similar situation – replies the Cup leader – For my part, I have no intention of giving up cross-country skiing., even if, as is normal, I look at the road as my primary activity. However, this does not have to mean a choice, they are specialties that can very well coexist.».
The interested councils
The topic, also recalling the many discussions after winning the 2005 world title, is even more intriguing for Malacarne, who then had a good career in the WorldTour (even if then it was called ProTour) from 2009 to 2016 between Quick Step, Europcar and Astana.
"I agree," he smiles, "and as an Italian fan, I find Stefano's words very encouraging. If you carefully evaluate your commitments, anything is possible. It is right to consider the road as a fundamental commitment for one's career, but it must be done in a thoughtful manner.If there is a closed attitude on the part of those who advise, I can only tell Stefano to always ask himself why, what is behind it on the part of those who think that way."
But if Malacarne had raced in Van Aert and Van der Poel's cycling team, would anything have changed?Probably yes considering the weight they haveEven in my time – replies the Venetian – there were people who raced on the road at good levels, like Sven NYS a De Clercq, but it wasn't the same thing, they didn't have that importance. Now multidisciplinary rules: the same pogacar in the winter he does some cross-country races and nobody condemns him for this."
Two different eras
Stefano, have you had the chance to watch any of Malacarne's cross-country races online? "I haven't seen Davide's directly," admits the Friulian, "but I have seen some, especially Pontoni's exploits. The differences with today's cross-country bikes are notable, especially in terms of components and routes. What struck me is that back then we still hoped to overcome obstacles on foot, now we jump over them directly..."
«Cross cycling was changing in my day – Malacarne recalls – even then people were starting to go beyond the boards while staying on their bikes. Before my time, races were much more based on the running part and the bikes weighed a lot.We were starting to work on its various components. Now the weight is enormously reduced and this has contributed to changing the very way of understanding the specialty."
Belgium and the Netherlands? Mere extras...
Let's continue our comparison between the two eras, starting with Viezzi's performances. He faces worthy opponents, but few come from the two homelands of the discipline, Belgium and the Netherlands. Why?
"That's a good question. I believe," he reasons, "that there is more competition in the youth categories, many countries operate in cross and can emergeEvery race is different, it depends on the characteristics of the rider who stands out on this or that course. Then, when it comes to the professionals, the two main schools leverage their racing movements and gain the upper hand.
«When I won the world championship – Malacarne notes – the second was a Swiss who then had a long career in cyclo-cross, the third was a German who until two years ago was racing with the ExploreBelgians and Dutch? Not even seen. I agree with Stefano, What changes with growth is the cultural situation: in Belgium and Holland you can live well with cross country, it is monetized, there is a huge movement of competitions that we cannot compete with. But slowly other countries are also emerging, Great Britain itself is no longer tied only to pidcock, just to give an example."
The Philipsen stimulus
It's time to close this pleasant parenthesis, but first Davide has a wish to make: «Stefano, talent and time are on your side, keep going down this road and think that it's definitely time to bring that shirt back home. And maybe not just that…».
“I’ll give it my all,” Viezzi replies proudly. “I’m not afraid of who I’ll face. I know Philipsen is coming too, who is aiming for the third rainbow jersey after those on the road and in mountain biking: it will be an extra incentive…».
