He'll graduate from school next summer, but he seems to have achieved his competitive level this year. A qualitative leap, spiced up by four victories and fifteen placings, which allowed Mattia Sambinello to be taken by the Hagens Berman Axeon-Jayco (opening photo by Davide Morello).
Looking at the score achieved this year by the eighteen-year-old from Corgeno, Varese, wearing the Canturino jersey, one might say he's a rider for all seasons. Or at least Sambinello has shown he can win—and perform at his best—from March to October with great consistency. It's only natural that foreign observers were also watching him. This is yet another move by one of our juniors to a foreign team.A trend that, regardless of the reasons, is increasingly widespread and is often dreamed of by young people themselves. We therefore wanted to follow Mattia on his journey towards the continental team managed by Axel Merckx, where you will find Samuele Privitera.
How did your 2023 go overall?
It was a very good season, with many valuable placings, in addition to the four victories. Honestly, I didn't expect to do so well. I felt more mature than the year before. and now I'm even more so about the move to Hagens.
What has changed the most since last year?
In 2022, it was normal for me to put myself at the service of the team, to learn about the category. But I would say that This year I got more in tune with my sports director Andrea Arnaboldi and my trainer Ruggero Borghi (formerly a pro for twelve years around the turn of the millennium, ed.) There's been an evolution between us, and everything's become easier. I was able to put their many suggestions into practice better.. And then there was also the physical aspect. For example, I had worked well in the gym in the winter to be ready for the new free relationships to pushThis year I always felt the chain was tight and I benefited from it while running.
What kind of rider are you?
I still have to discover myself completely, though. I define myself as a fast paced riderI'm 1,80 m tall and weigh 66 kg, and to be honest, I'm quite good at climbing too. On the long, steady ones, even if I'm doing them fast, I can stay ahead. However, I still struggle with changes in pace.I will work on this and other things for the new adventure that awaits me.
What do you expect from next year?
I'm on the same wavelength as Samuele (Privitera, ed.). Me too, as he told you, I expect to get beaten up. I'm prepared for that.I'll have to get used to a lot of difficult situations along the way, but I believe that after so many "blows", I will also know how to react and take the right countermeasures. Indeed, in this regard, having Samuele on the team will be important. We have known each other well for a long time and I'm sure we will support each otherI told him that we will be a reference for each other.
How did the contact with Hagens come about?
I'll start by saying that if I achieved certain results this year, I'd set out with the intention of going abroad, especially for a life experience. It all started thanks to my agent who in May had me do an incremental test to show to some teamsHagens was one of them and in June they contacted me to discuss the matter further. I must say that some Italian teams had already come forward in March/April, but it was still a bit early to start certain negotiations.
Who did you connect with on the new team?
Both Koos Moerenhout and Axel Merckx called me (sports director and team manager respectively, ed.) and you can imagine my joy. I immediately made a great impression. I know I will find a very organized team with a good mentality. I'm already training with the new bike and so far they haven't let me down at all.
Is there anything that struck you from your conversations with them?
Yes, of course, especially the chat with Axel. He told me that in 2024 I will have to put school first (Mattia attends the aeronautical institute in Gallarate where he studies transport and logistics with a good grade point average, ed.). In fact, if I start to go bad, he won't let me run until I recover.. This is a great motivation for me. I think I have more stimuli than pressuresI'll be able to prepare for my final exams with peace of mind and, at the same time, grow calmly without worrying about team results.
What goals has Mattia Sambinello set for himself for the new season?
I have many, all connected to each other. I will focus on being a full-fledged cyclist and on many pre- and post-race details.All aspects that will increase my experience, especially in races in the North or in stage races. I would like to run the Giro NextGen, but I will have to organize myself well with maturityI'd also like to keep the connection with the national team alive after this year's races. I'll think about the results later; I don't have to rush. I signed a two-year contract and I know that at Hagens, if someone is strong, sooner or later he manages to emerge..
