Often, scrolling back through Bettini's archive, one discovers fragments of memory that for one reason or another had ended up in the shadows. So, while browsing Michele Gazzoli's pages, I happened to stop and look at the images of when he was a junior and in 2017 he turned everything he touched into gold.The European road championship in Herning. The European track championship in Anadia. And then the bronze medal at the road world championships in Bergen, with a broken collarbone. So today... the boy from Brescia is making his debut in the WorldTour and in Montecatini he has already made contact with his new teammates of Astana, going to discover what remains of that magic came almost spontaneously. At the head of a season that started late, which could have turned out to be a flop and instead it brought it in the dimension that everyone dreams of and only a few reach.
Twenty-two years old, statistics speak of 80 meters tall and 76 kilos. His hair is still marine-like, like when we first saw him. A fast paced rider, once thought to be a sprinter, he's also claimed some impressive victories over time, such as Del Rosso and Ponsacco in 2020. The Liberation that brought about the turning point and Città di Empoli in 2021, embellished with fourth place at the World Championships in Leuven, defeated by the friend (and companion in Colpack-Ballan) Filippo Baroncini.
What remains of the Gazzoli who four years ago turned almost everything he touched into gold?
I am similar, improved in some aspects. I knew even then that there is nothing easy, because in life it is like thatI didn't lose heart even this year, when I had a really hard winter and I realized that it would be a difficult seasonI started training consistently in March, with 12 days of preparation for my first race. When you don't have the base, you find a condition that holds for a maximum of two weeks and then you have to start again. Despite this, I've had my fair share of satisfactions.
Did the agreement with Astana come about at the end or did it come before?
We took the agreements in June, directly with VinokourovThis has allowed me to run all year round with peace of mind and gives me the guarantee that I will continue to work with Maurizio Mazzoleni, with whom I have an excellent relationshipBeing the stress-free type, we'll be talking about winter plans in November after the holidays. I'm leaving for the Canary Islands on Sunday with my friend Matteo Furlan, who ran with the this year Iseo-Rime.
In 2017 in Herning he won the European Junior Championships in the sprint Gazzoli is among the favorites at the 2017 Junior World Championships in Bergen. At the World Championships in Bergen he won the bronze medal, behind his teammate Rastelli 2017 is a magical year: he also wins the European Championships after being eliminated in Anadia.
In 2017 in Herning he won the European Junior Championships in the sprint Gazzoli is among the favorites at the 2017 Junior World Championships in Bergen. At the World Championships in Bergen he won the bronze medal, behind his teammate Rastelli 2017 is a magical year: he also wins the European Championships after being eliminated in Anadia.
You spent two years with Basso's Kometa and now two with Colpack. Do you think you'll need a shorter adaptation period than others?
I don't feel like I'm ahead of myself in anything. The only thing I can say is that In this last year at Colpack I gained a lot of experience by running a lot and wellI think reaching the WorldTour is everyone's dream, but to get to the top of cycling you have to deserve it. It's a world where meritocracy reigns. It was my dream in 2017 too, but I'm someone who lives day by day.. Actually, half a day for half a day. I'm always down to earth, I was nobody yesterday, I am nobody today.
You rode with Ayuso until June, then he moved straight to the WorldTour. What do you think?
Everyone makes their own choices, For my part, I can say that I had a lot of fun and I'm happy with the path I chose.I'm happy to have found Baroncini, with whom I've created an excellent relationship that will continue even now that we're rivals. Maybe I think that if I had been a junior today with my results at the time, they would have proposed that I go straight through, but I think that three years as an under 23 are worth doing anywayFrom those early years with Basso, I cherish my relationship with Ivan, who is a friend of mine, and the beautiful bond that was established with my teammates.
How was your first taste of Astana in Montecatini?
I didn't expect such a beautiful and close-knit environment. I really like the fact that they speak Italian, as well as the attention to detail.. It's a really big leap and rightly so.
What do you mean?
Which is normal and It is understandable that when moving from a continental to a WorldTour team, a difference in size is perceived, it would be serious if this were not the caseThe Colpack-Ballan is a super continental, which perhaps even gives more than what is needed, but it is right that one is left speechless when climbing to the top level.
A gentleman who, in addition to everything else, won two Giros and a Tour in his career has returned to the team…
Io I used to watch Nibali on TV and now I found him next to me at the table or chatting about this and that while drinking coffee. He's really a nice person, I'm very happy that he's here, I think it's a privilege to race with him.
Did you also go out cycling?
No, no bikes. We just evaluated some new gear, did a bike fitting for the frame sizes, and took the clothing measurements. Then we had meetings with the sports directors, rider by rider.And then I also met the nutritionist. I pay attention to my diet, but when I get back from vacation I'll go talk to her. This trip is the gift I'm giving myself for 2021Then it will be time to start again.
