In recent days many have been surprised by the news of the Federico Biagini's future move to Green Project Bardiani CSF Faizané, Yet another youngster to land at Reverberi's court. We're surprised because the Emilian rider seems to have arrived almost out of nowhere: last season he had been almost absent from the main under 23 arrival lists, this year instead is one of the most consistent, with pearls like victories at Fiorano-Fiorano and the Giro del Montalbano (Instagram photo at the top), podiums at the GP Santa Rita and Giro del Piave (all national races) and overall a dozen top 10 finishes.
Three viruses and two accidents
What is the reason for such a transformation? The natural maturation of a twenty-year-old boy has only a limited impact.. He who has a good memory will remember how a couple of years ago the former world champion Luca Columbo, who oversaw his youthful development, was ready to swear by his qualities. So what?
«So it happened that I experienced a really dramatic 2022 – explains Biagini – starting in January with Covid, which was quickly followed by mononucleosis and toxoplasmosis in February. I was out for two months. When the others started competing, I still had to do all the preparation.I had competed at San Geo, then I was absent from competitions until June 8th. At that point I had to pass my final exams, another break, restarting at the end of July and only getting some results at the end of the season, just to let me get back to enjoying the challenge."
Yet in the environment your name had not gone unnoticed, so much so that the Ointment decided to hire you…
And it was my luck. Other teams had also contacted me, remembering what I had achieved as a junior, but when Zalf's offer arrived, I had no doubts. Furthermore, It came at a very difficult time psychologically, considering what I had been through, so it gave me a new push.
Are you satisfied with what you've done so far?
A lot, also because It takes on more value considering the accidents I've had. Yes, I haven't missed those either.After a good winter preparation, I had my first crash in January, and a second on February 20th, when I broke my wrist. A week later, I had my first race, and I absolutely had to be there, so I got back on the bike right away, missing only one day of training. On March 26th, I had another crash caused by a car, dislocating my elbow.
Is traffic really such a big problem where you train?
I live in the center of Reggio Emilia, but I'm quite close to the hills and I always try to train on quiet roads. It's clear that you're always dealing with cars, and honestly, every outing is a risk; you always have to be vigilant. However, I must say, contrary to what you might think, that I'm noticing that motorists are starting to show greater sensitivity towards cyclists., a little more attention, I hope we continue on this path.
In your opinion, what is the cause of this consistent performance?
I interpret every race as if it were an opportunity not to be missed.I think about myself, but also about the team. If I don't have great legs that day or the race isn't suited to me, I make myself available. I don't like to wait and see; I prefer to take the initiative, attack; it's kind of part of my nature.
What was the most important victory?
Definitely the one in Fiorano, precisely because of everything I had been through in the two years since my last success. I knew I was in good shape, but until success comes you always feel something holding you back.Let's say that since then I've tried to race for the full result, without settling for the placing as I was a bit inclined to do.
Now that your future is sealed, aren't you afraid, even subconsciously, that the tension will decrease with every race?
I will face the second part of the season with more tranquility, Surely knowing that I have a four-year contract in my pocket saves me the stress of rushing around thinking about finding a place for the future, but I certainly don't want to rest on my laurels. In fact, I've noticed that now I also have more concentration and determination in training and it will be the same in the race.
You've chosen an Italian project when many of your peers are going abroad. Aren't you worried that the schedule you'll face won't be up to par with that of the Devo WorldTour teams?
Some WT teams had even approached me, but when Reverberi's proposal arrived I didn't think twice, not only because for me it's the home team, but because It seems to me to be the ideal team to grow without rushing and the racing calendar itself is the ideal one to make the right steps forwardThere will be an opportunity to compete with the greats, to learn and try to make yourself more visible, to move up the level.
Considering that you're considered a climber with a solid foundation of speed and good experience on the pass (for example, given your contribution to the victorious team time trial at the Giro del Veneto), how do you feel about stage races?
I've never done many of them, so I'd have to test myself to see what I could achieve. For example, in Veneto I finished eighth. Let's just say this is one of the main challenges I'm facing.
