That the student category has become the new Eldorado for subsequent categories is now an established fact with all the ifs and buts, pros and cons that this entails. We're talking about 15/16 year old kids who are running for fun and to chase a dream., taking into account school commitments and all the variables that that age group may have.
However, In the last couple of seasons, some stage races have been created to bring students closer to what they could (and would like) to experience when they grow up. Considering that many of them will be juniors in 2026, when the racing calendars for this season were released, many clubs had checked the dates of these races in order to be able to organize themselves: the Tour of the Three Municipalities in Tuscany (from May 31st to June 2nd), The Fiumane in Friuli (from 17th to 20th July) and finally the Tour of the Three Provinces in Emilia (from August 21st to 24th).
Precisely with this last race – organised by the provincial committees of Reggio Emilia, Parma and Piacenza with the supervision of the regional one – we returned to the topicWe wanted to hear the point of view of a sports director, trying to understand how it was experienced and interpreted by the protagonists., and whether these stage races for students work within an ever-changing cycling environment. The words are those of Alberto Puerini, technician of Petrucci Zero24 Cycling Team who won two stages and the general classification with Andrea Gabriele Alessiani and who in turn, as a rider, competed in the Sicc Cucine di Jesi.
Let's start with planning the trip. How did you organize it?
We have gained some familiarity with this type of race since we had done them last year too.To come to Emilia we booked one of the hotels recommended by the organizers. There were eight of us: five athletes, the mechanic, the masseur and me.We left early on Thursday morning, knowing that the first stage would be an afternoon time trial. We then moved to Tabiano Bagni, where we stayed for three nights, as it was close to the towns of the subsequent stages. We then returned on Sunday.
Were the hotels covered by the organization?
No, we paid for it ourselves, but they had discounted rates especially for the race. The organizers have always guaranteed us lunches every day for each of us inside the starting locations.It had been the same in Tuscany in spring too.
Had you also done the stage race in Friuli?
We reluctantly skipped that one for financial reasons. We are a team from the Marche region and our journeys are always on average long.It's true that we're reasonably organized, but it was becoming an excessive expense and it wasn't right to bear it. Maybe we'll try to go in 2026.
What was your typical day like in Emilia?
We had half-board at the hotel, so breakfast and dinner. In between, we prepared for the race. In the morning we did a reconnaissance of the race routes with the boys in the minibus., except for the time trial, which they did on bikes, and the final stage on Sunday morning, which we did the day before. We'd actually already seen those roads on Google Maps, thanks to a former rider of ours who helps us with these aspects. Obviously, seeing them in person gives you another idea. We returned to the hotel after the races for massage sessions and to sort out the bikes.
On a tactical level, has anything changed compared to usual?
Personally, I try to never look at the overall standings, but I tell the guys to treat each stage as if it were a single race. I believe that it is not right to start with the students with the roles of captains, vice captains and gregarious already assigned.It's right that everyone starts on an equal footing, since the kids themselves then agree on who can compete. Of course it goes without saying that we try to keep our eyes open on the race, but let's not start with plans already made.
Are students a category where they still have a lot to learn?
Regardless of who is strong or not, In my opinion, the biggest lesson is always the one after the end of the race, whether it went well or badly.At that moment, you have to open up the guys' tactical and mental vision. A sprinter's stage doesn't necessarily have to end in a sprint, or that a sprinter can't break away. You can't stick to these rules. The second stage, in fact, ended in an unexpected way.
What do you mean?
On paper, it was the only stage dedicated to sprinters because the course was completely flat. It was run on a circuit, and the finish was particularly twisty. I told my boys to read the race and maybe follow their instinct, their imagination.So after a flying finish, Alessiani continued on, along with two other riders, building an unbridgeable lead over the peloton. He won the stage and essentially sealed the overall lead. The next day he won again and in the last stage he managed the advantage and the attacks of his opponents..
How did your children experience this?
They liked it a lot. First of all, we liked the fact that the general classification was based on times and not on points like last year.. So immediately after each stage, they were curious to see how they had done and how much they had gained or lost over their rivals. Satisfaction, emotion or disappointment was feltIn a time trial, the kids are put to the test much more. Then there's the human or moral aspect.
That is to say…
The most beautiful thing about these stage races It was the atmosphere that the boys spent among themselvesThey have tasted the cycling they dream of achieving. They breathed the competitive air from start to finish together with us companions, like a great team.Sometimes, after a match, a parent at home says something outrageous that the child might not fully understand, and this can lead to bad feelings. Instead, among teammates, you can talk to someone else or ask the managers for more information. In this sense, These trips help the boy to grow as a person before as an athlete..
Any other positive notes?
The organization of the Giro delle Tre Province was certainly up to par in every way. I have to congratulate them because we have always run in a very safe environment.All the students were protected and the dangers were always very well marked. I have to say that it is difficult to find any suggestions for improvement because we had an incredible service.
Are there any drawbacks to these stage races? Is there a risk of putting too much pressure on a student?
Yes, there may be a risk, but not because he goes running for four consecutive days. The risk is already there, if we are not careful, in the single race because after 2020 the level has risen a lot in this categoryNo one wants to be left behind and everyone wants their boyfriend to always be going strong. Personally I am in favor of stage races for a question of experience and as long as it doesn't go beyond four days, which is already a lot. In fact, I even like the two-stage-in-one-day formula.
Do you think new stage races could be created in other regions?
I don't know, but I don't think so, also due to a question of regulation. As of today, a student cannot compete in more than two stage races and there must be at least one month between one and the other.In fact, if we had gone to Friuli, I would have brought five more kids. We could have afforded it because we have 22 students and we're a special case, if you like, but some clubs don't have certain numbers. It is more important that they organize more time trials that the kids like and that help the movement in that specialty grow..
Let's close with Alessiani. What kind of rider is he?
Andrea has the characteristics of a complete and modern rider, with a great physique. He's strong in time trials, goes very well uphill and has a reasonably fast acceleration in small groups.He had already won the stage race in Tuscany and seems suited to this genre. Next year he will move up to the junior ranks in Bortolami's GB Team Pool Cantù. However, First of all, Andrea is a very intelligent boy, with excellent grades in high school. That's the most important thing..
