Looking carefully at what has happened so far in the Italian junior calendar, there is a detail that stands out from the numbers: the sensational consistency of performance of a Polish boy, who arrived this year at theEnergy Team, who always manages to get noticed. His almost unpronounceable name is Filip. Grudszczynski e in 20 races he finished in the top 10 14 times, with 2 victories and 5 other podiums.
Data that cannot leave you indifferent and which also reward the research of the team's owner Rocco Pisano and the other managers of the Como team, capable of unearthing a true gem to grow on Italian roads. Grudszczynski's passion has its roots in his childhood.
"I was probably six or seven years old, and it was thanks to my father that I found myself on a bike. He encouraged me to do it because it was also his passion, something he had experienced as an amateur, and so we shared something important."
How did you come to Italy and why did you accept the Energy Team's offer?
It happened at the last edition of the Tour of Lunigiana. Fabio Dante Alighieri, the sports director, came to me and asked me if I wanted to come to Italy and ride for the Energy Team. It was a difficult decision to leave Poland and go abroad. But I knew it was the right one to push my career.
What knowledge did you have of Italian cycling?
I read about Marco's exploits pantani and even before Fausto Coppi, but I don't know much else. Now I'm fascinated by Filippo Ganna and I really enjoyed admiring Vincenzo Nibali when he rode a bicycle. Clearly, we look above all at local champions; we were born into the legend of Michal. Kwiatkowski.
What were the main difficulties you encountered when coming here?
The most difficult thing was probably the language, communicating with others. I'm studying a little Italian now; I still know a few words, but I'll practice and hope things will get better. As for the rest, I managed to adapt quite well, also thanks to the help of my teammates. On the other hand, it's not easy living so far from home, but I feel like I'm part of a great group.
Have you finished school yet?
Yes, I took my final exam in May, which is equivalent to your high school diploma. Now I want to focus on my cycling career, and that's why I won't go to university, but maybe in two or three years I'll enroll.
What kind of rider are you, what are your favorite routes?
I think I'm a good climber and I'm also good at time trials. (he is the national champion in his category, ed.) I feel comfortable on any terrain, even if I would like to achieve more in stage races because I think I have the right characteristics, but I have all the time in the world to grow.
One particular feature of your season is that you finished in the top 10 in almost every Italian race you took part in. What's your secret?
To be honest, I was surprised too. I like that fact and I'm glad it was noticed. I don't always manage to get to the final stages with a chance of winning, but I never give up, I know that something can always happen and I give it my all until the last metre.But this applies to any race, not just the Italian ones, which are still numerous, many more than the Polish calendar. I try to do my best every time I get on my bike; it's my way of interpreting this sport.
Poland has always had a great cycling tradition, especially before you were born. How is cycling perceived in your country now?
Those were slightly different times back then, precisely because life in Poland was different. I know that cycling was very popular back then when it was a state sport. Now it's not so popular, even the successes of Kwiatkowski and Majka they haven't made any headway, young people are looking more at other disciplines like football and tennis. However, it is also true that Kwiatkowski's victory in the Tour stage was notable. I hope the situation changes, but for that to happen, we need great results that will encourage kids like me to follow this path and become passionate about this beautiful sport.
What's your favorite race so far?
Last year's Giro della Lunigiana (he finished 11th overall, ed.), and not only because it helped me arrive in Italy, was a truly wonderful experience.
What have you learned from running in Italy so far?
It's very different from the cycling I used to do before, there are a lot of climbs here, above all there are never "calm" races, there is always a fight to be had in every situation and I like this a lotAbove all, I love the fact that there are races with uphill finishes, which never happens in Poland. I think this will allow me to greatly improve my performance in the mountains.
What do you dream for your future?
Easy to say, become a professional and to one day have the chance to race the Tour de France, the most beautiful stage in the world.
