Amadori's Italy is back on track and has resumed racking up miles and results. As usual, the first event of the year arrives in the month of May and coincides with the Orlen Nations Grand PrixThe first Nations Cup test featuring our Under-23 national team. On the Polish roads the Azzurrini put in a series of excellent performances, crowned by two stage victories. Mellano and Turconi also took second and third place in the overall standings, respectively, behind Austrian Marco Schrettl (top photo by Tomasz Smietana).
New rules, different game
Let's go in order and rewind. The 2025 season sees a major change in the regulations. The UCI has in fact decided to exclude professionals from the trials that award the European and world under 23 titlesAn important choice, whether you agree with it or not, but one that changes the rules of the game. Who holds the cards, our city Marino Amadori, sees everything change a littleHow will he play his aces?
"I'll have to plan differently," Amadori says from home as he prepares for his second away trip of the year—the World Cup and the European Championships. I think the UCI made the right decision.. To Zurich it was a semi-professional world championship. I think it's right to set some rules, even if competing with the boys of I have to team up It will be difficult for those coming from continental or club teams. But that's part of the game."
Let's go back to the first Nations Cup test for our under 23s, what point did you get once you got home?
I was convinced I had put together a good team and I'm happy with what we achieved. We planned the effort well and for this I have to thank the teams and the teamsI had known for a long time which kids I would bring with me and we knew the routes well.
Two stage victories and a leading overall standing…
Mellano and Zamperini won, and I'm very happy for them. They're at opposite ends of the spectrum. The first is making his debut among the under 23s, while the other was looking for confirmation after the team changeWe also won the team classification by a landslide. A sign of a strong performance from all six of our players.
With a team split between those with more experience and those with less, you expected a strong performance from the two youngest players. Mellano and Turconi?
Now the juniors are going strong. The free choice of relationships, the preparation and the resources allow many boys to arrive among the U23s ready. In fact, some go directly to the WorldTour. Mellano and Turconi They were good, the first one won a stage and wore the leader's jersey. Both were protagonists until the end and they played for the final victory.
With a second stage as absolute protagonists…
Exactly. They did a great job attacking and giving everyone a hard time. Unfortunately the next day the Austrian Schrettl proved to be equally strong and took away our lead.So on the last day we changed things up a bit and went for the stage win.
Which came with Zamperini, as you saw after the first few months in I have to team up of Arkea?
Not very well, but I know his qualities and I wanted to trust him. Before coming to Poland we talked and he was good at switching off and being readyI hope this is the victory that will allow him to find the right path.
The second round of the season is coming up soon: the Peace Race, another Nations Cup event. Who will you bring with you?
Dai I have to team up Gualdi and Savino. From the continental teams Gabriele Bessega and Tommaso Bosio. While from the club formations, Dario Igor Belletta and Riccardo Lorello. I spoke with Solme Olmo specifically for Belletta, we strongly believe in its qualities so we have created an ad hoc program in view of the Giro Next Gen.
While the options for the World Championships and European Championships are more "blocked," there will be room for everyone in view of the Tour de l'Avenir...
For example, Turconi is a boy on whom we will have to pay a lot of attention. He is already a professional as he races for Vf Group-Bardiani: he will not be able to participate in the continental and world championship races.But in view of the Tour de l'Avenir, he is a profile worth keeping an eye on.
