Have the maturity of an experienced rider and the enthusiasm of a kid. Alessio Martinelli it's like this. From Valdidentro, where the climb of the Cancano Lakes at the Giro, here is another little gem of our movement and home Colpack-Ballan. Alessio won silver at the 2019 World Championships in Harrogate (opening photo), as a junior. The transition to the U23s, the lockdown, and the accident: 2020 was essentially a non-existent year for him from a competitive standpoint.
Like many other kids he got on his bike following his father, Fulvio, and the brother, Nicola"I started at G0," he says seriously. We laugh. "Yes, really. I was 4 or 5 years old and I did those promotional, non-competitive races."
So you've always run?
Yes, the whole process began with G1. When I turned 6, they gave me a bike, a mountain bike, and from there, I immediately started competing in lots of races. At first, I was in the Bormiese team, then in the Valdidentro Bike team. Since I was a beginner, I only did mountain bikes, then I started alternating them with road riding. But as time went by, and the routes became too technical, the less I liked mountain biking. I didn't do as well. Furthermore, I immediately achieved results on the road, and I developed an absurd desire to do it. I then competed in the youth and junior categories. Team Giorgi and I arrived at Colpack two years ago. My dream of becoming pro is coming true, as I have signed with the Bardiani CSF Faizanè (but he will race at Colpack in 2021, ed.).
It was said that you could move on immediately after your silver medal at the 2019 Junior World Championships…
Immediately after those World Championships, a barrage of offers arrived, including from the WorldTour. But with my coach, Omar Beltran, and my agent, Fabio Perego, we have always had the idea of growing gradually, without biting off more than we can chew. The goal is to arrive strong at the age of 22-23, the right age to achieve important results.
Given the offers from WT, why did you sign for a professional team? Would you make the same choice again?
Yes, I'd do it all again," Martinelli promptly replies. "First, because Bardiani had approached me before my World Championship result, which means they'd believed in me for a long time. And second, because I believe I'll have more room in a professional team. Maybe I could secure a result by joining a breakaway. In a World Tour, I'd have less room. I'd have to work for the others, and there would be 15-20 riders ahead of me. Look what he did cicconeIt was right at Bardiani and it arrived at Trek-Segafredo as captain.
Oh well! You have clear ideas…
Thank you!
You're in a family of cyclists: do they pressure you at home, give you their opinion, or give you space?
As a rookie, I listened to my dad and brother's advice. It was just a game. Then, as a student, when I was followed by Team Giorgi, my father never said anything to me and never even commented. I'm the one who likes talking to them, maybe even showing my brother how I ride. I like getting an outside opinion.
What school did you go to?
A five-year vocational school: maintenance technical assistance. Basically, I could be a plumber, an electrician, a mechanic… but it wasn't an ideal choice since I'm now going to university and studying Food Science. In short, I didn't follow a linear path.
Oh no, but if your bike breaks you know how to fix it!
Yes – he laughs – I like tinkering with my bike. I often tinker with it to try to make it smoother. Now I'm on retreat with the team and I'm always asking the mechanic how to fix that sheath, to improve the smoothness of this or that...
You live at the foot of the Cancano Lakes climb. But before the Giro, you had a very serious accident on this road in June. How did it go?
Given that I don't remember practically anything, I fell on the slope. Somehow, I managed to get my brother to call. He, in turn, called for help. They came to pick me up by helicopter and took me to the hospital in Brescia in red code (Martinelli hit his head, broke some teeth, and fractured his cheekbone, ed.) I'm fine now, even though I still have some skin problems.
And what about posture?
After so many sessions with the osteopath and massage therapist, everything is fine. I'm completely ready for next season. Having barely raced in 2020, I'm incredibly eager to get back to racing. I did a couple of races, but in hindsight, it would have been better not to do them. Now, however, I feel good; I'm training the right way. I have adrenaline pumping. I want to prove my worth.
Let's return to the Cancano Lakes, but this time on the Giro d'Italia climb. How did it feel to see the pros in action on your roads that day?
They gave me an elite pass. They took me to the finish line by helicopter. My first conscious helicopter ride! We ate up there and watched the stage on the big screens. It was a fantastic day. I imagined myself in the race and thought it would be a dream to experience a race like that at home and maybe get a good result. They climbed really fast, but after so many days of racing and after the Stelvio, they didn't set the absolute best times on the climb...
And do you have the best times?
No, other guys not pros on the road.
Well, Samuele Porro, the MTB champion, trains there! The KOMs will be his... What kind of rider are you? Time trialist, climber...
Definitely not a time trialist. Climbing is my favorite terrain. I feel comfortable just about anywhere, maybe not so much on completely flat courses. I like stage races. I recover well and get better day by day. In short, I see myself well suited to the Grand Tours, at least that's what I dream of...
