Two victories in Germany, Montagner continues to grow

New stage of the Junior Nations Cup. The previous ones they had seen the Italian national team struggle a lot, especially because of the time trials. If we take this detail into account (and consequently that of the general classification), the gap with the others remains.LVM Saarland Trophy but something has changed: the Azzurri returned home with 4 stage victories, equally divided between Alessio Magagnotti and Andrea Mountaineer.

If for the talented standard-bearer of theAutozai Contri, in his first year as a junior, these are the first foreign calls in the new category, Montagner scores a brace that helps boost moraleTwo victories that are somewhat different from each other, although both highlight the main characteristics of the Friulian rider.

«The first stage with the finish in Fuhrpach was a very nervous fraction – says the rider of the Borgo Molino – a continuous up and down with two climbs in the final stretch, one right under the finish line where 4 of us managed to gain an advantage over the group and I had an easy time winning the stageThe final stage, however, was a hilly route with a 2-kilometer climb with sections at 7 percent. However, the teams aiming for the overall standings were in great control, so there was a bunch sprint where we did very well, with me first and Alessio third.

What strategy did you use to tackle this German test?

We knew we weren't among the favorite teams, so we tried to anticipate the moves of the stronger teams by always going on the attack. In the end the tactic worked, the loot was considerable considering also the double in the points classification with Magagnotti first and me second.

How did you find yourself in the group? Salvoldi had been very clear at the beginning of the season, also counting on you, fresh from the European title in the team relay, to form a group and introduce the new ones…

I know this and I tried to meet your expectations in this sense too. I must say that a good group has formed in the national team, thanks also to the many retreats carried outWe come from different teams and when we race in Italy we are all opponents, but by wearing the national team jersey we stand together and fight for the general interest.

The German test made you and Magagnotti stand out as leaders not only of the team but of your generation. What are the differences between you?

You might think we have the same characteristics, but that is not the case. Alessio has something extra in terms of pure speed, he's a true sprinter. I think I'm more suited to pace races., a true fast rouleur with a certain predilection for time trials.

The time trial in Germany confirmed the difficulties of the entire Italian movement...

We knew that the time trial would be decisive for the standings and that was the case, at least for us in a negative sense. We cannot deny that there is a certain difference in performance given by the habit of the gesture, we in Italy face few of themPersonally, I would like to do more of it, we don't have the same propensity as our peers.

But you are still the European champion in the team relay, what led to that victory?

In some ways, it confirms what I've been saying. To prepare for that race, we did a lot of specific work, focusing on training for a month before. I believe that if the calendar helps us by offering more races against the clock, the gap will soon be filled..

How was your season up until the trip to Germany?

I had a lot of physical problems, I even missed a couple of important races and I was also sick at the Eroica Juniores, so the results weren't up to par. However, the feelings were quite positive, in fact. At the beginning of May, two encouraging successes arrived and from there I think I've unlocked myself.

You won the Liberazione Trophy last year, impressing with your maturity despite being a first-year. What has changed since then?

I think I've grown a lot, not only physically but also in terms of my awareness of my abilities. I understood many things this year, now I face the races in a different way, I look at the same opponents more carefully, thinking about how to counter each one and be able to bring out my characteristics.

You prefer time trials, you're good at climbing, do you think you could become a stage racer?

Never say never, but for now I feel like a cyclist for one-day trials or single stages, not for the general classification.

And now?

Now we move on to the 2 Days of Solighetto and then the spotlight is on the Italian trials where I want the title against the clock. We'll see after that, the important thing is to keep working hard to also attract the attention of the bigger teams. I wouldn't mind an experience in a devo team at all...