DARFO BOARIO TERME – «In the final, there were only a few of us left, those who had the legs – says Alessandro Borgo wearing the U23 Italian champion jersey – At 500 meters I turned around and saw that there was room for a different action and I tried itI managed to get there alone, it's always nice to win like this and here I am, wearing the tricolour."
For the first time we see Alessandro Borgo excited, the Venetian of the Bahrain Victorious Development Team he lets himself go in a liberating cry and a special dedication. «This success goes to my coach Alessio Mattiussi, who always believed in me, to my dad Massimo and my mom Michela, to my friends and to a special friend who watches over me from up there: Daniele Gnoffo (a boy who ran with Borgo and passed away due to a motorbike accident, ed.)».
Eyes on Borgo
Alessandro Borgo was the favorite, the stages of the Giro Next Gen they did good for his engine and his confidenceThe missed opportunity in Acqui Terme also increased his hunger for victory. He knew he was doing well and confirmed what was seen on the roads of the under 23 pink race.
«I knew that today's route was suitable for me – he continues while walking towards the anti-doping – yesterday I went to try some passages and I understood that the race was designed for riders with my characteristics. Plus, I arrived knowing I was feeling good. I knew the race would be difficult to manage, especially because everyone this morning was saying, "Let's get on Borgo's wheel!" When the lead of the breakaway started to look dangerous I decided to put the team in front to pull».
«On the last climb – he continues – we had in our sights Bracalente (author of a beautiful solo action, ed.) and once we got on the climb we did it really fastI didn't give up an inch and I closed down all the attacks from there to the last kilometer. As soon as we started looking at each other, inside the last three kilometers, I found the right moment to go and I did it."
We've always seen you as very serious and pragmatic, today you let yourself go...
True, I don't have a simple tear but a very important victory has arrived that I have been waiting for since my second year of juniors. I was in good shape for that race but I had some problems and it didn't go well.I couldn't sleep that night thinking about the missed opportunity, and I kept crying. Wearing this shirt now as an under-23 is a great gift for me.
A race that is not easy to manage.
I managed to keep everything under control, even the blood pressure. The team was all for me, my teammates did a great job and we managed to bring home a beautiful result.
You have matured a lot in these years, compared to that stage of the Tour of Lunigiana you can control your emotions better…
That was the period when I was collecting the first valuable results, In the end I emerged late because when I was younger I struggled to winI've learned to manage these situations, now I'm much calmer and I know that there's no point in getting nervous.
Did you work with anyone on it?
With a mental coach, I think it's an important figure for those who run at these levels. We train our body every day but we also need to train our mind by relying on these figures.
When did you start working on it?
A year and a half ago, during this period I gave up for a moment but that doesn't mean I won't go back to taking care of this aspect too. Sacha Modolo advised me to rely on a mental coach, I talked about it with the team and they agreed too.
Was there an episode that made you feel like it was time to seek support?
That Italian championship lost to Gualdi when I was a junior. I didn't sleep last night because of all the tears I shed.Sacha saw me and thought he'd take me to this person who helped me so much.
Will you sleep with the tricolour on tonight?
Probably yes.
