Two Nations Cup events in close proximity, two very different stage races. First, one of the classics of the sector, the Course de la Paix over five stages including a time trial whose results were crucial for the health of the movement. Then the GP FWR Baron in Italy, only two stages, one of which, the first, was a team time trial. Dino Salvoldi he accepted the outcome without hiding, also because the participation in terms of quality was different, with the first one truly pitting the best of the category against each other.
The race in the Czech Republic was won by the world champion of the category and the detachment that Albert Withen Philipsen he imposed on his opponents should not be misleading because the Dane really dominated the race, imposing his lawTo find the first Italian, we have to go down to 15th place with Enea Sambinello.
«We were missing the one we considered the spearhead for this race, Lorenzo Finn – says Salvoldi – but We had planned the event knowing that we still had a strong team capable of having its say both in the standings and in the individual stages.The final performance didn't match our expectations and left us feeling diminished. There were some unexpected events, but they didn't affect us; our level was the same as that seen in the race."
What gave us food for thought was the outcome of the 8,8-kilometer time trial, with the best Italian, Andrea Donati, only 23rd, 42” behind Philipsen…
We need to look inside the results, take note of the numbers. I did it and I wanted to talk about it with the sporting directors of the boys called up to the national team to understand, because on a short and not very fast course the difference was enormous. A general behavior that raises questions, because the time trial is really linked to numbers, not to tactical situations that require different interpretations.
What impression did you get from it?
I can't deny that there was a strong backlash within the team. They were all very demoralized, but I also see that just two weeks before, at the Eroica Juniores, also a Nations Cup, the responses were very different.With two Italians in the Top 10 and a largely unchanged team, it's not possible that they suddenly became flops. It's also true, however, that the results need to be analyzed because this category is now the prelude to professionalism, and if these guys have ambitions of becoming professionals, they must also provide the necessary input so that those above can notice and embrace them. We need to understand what went wrong and take appropriate countermeasures.
Is the time trial debacle just the result of physical performance or is there also a difference in materials?
I have no doubt about this: when you're on the national team, the bikes are top-notch, all specs. We need to look elsewhere. It is no coincidence, for example, that in the top 11 in the time trial there were 3 Danes and 3 Norwegians. Countries without large mountains, but where there's a strong focus on cycling and training young people, who therefore acquire specific skills for flat events. I'm convinced that we need to look at the bigger picture, including sociocultural, environmental, and economic aspects. For example, if Austria is a powerhouse in skiing but not in water sports, there are reasons that go beyond the individual case. The same is true in cycling.
How does this affect you specifically?
In those Scandinavian countries, as mentioned, there are no climbs and good weather is lacking – Salvoldi replies – this it translates into a predisposition for that discipline, with training often underwater and a program linked to that effortThere's a different training system: we do hill repeats at good power, but training on flat terrain requires a very different commitment. We need to reach different power levels. Are we always capable of doing it? This is what we need to think about. Specifically, we have a champion among our pros, a few good specialists, but little else beyond the general strength and tradition of our movement.
Do you think we underestimate the problem in Italy?
Let's say it's time to take it head on, which means working on the boys' preparation. Beyond individual characteristics, we must realize that This exercise is essential for a professional, time performances are one of the elements that managers consider when signing this or that athlete, so this exercise you have to know how to do itIf you lose a lot in a time trial, you lose the race; if you compete in a stage race, you have to put aside many of your career ambitions. A role model is useful, but its motivation isn't enough.
Did Philipsen's performance surprise you, given his own expressed difficulties in racing on the road, especially in a group?
No, because I know we are facing a phenomenon. I look at last year's time trial at the Peace Race and I see that the Dane improved the 2023 winner's time by half a minute. who was no one, but Nordhagen. For me, he has already grown enormously even in terms of his race conduct, when he starts shooting he makes the difference.
Was there anything that saved you from the trip?
At least in the penultimate stage Bessega he put his nose in front – Salvoldi recalls – going on the breakaway and it was a difficult stage, 133 kilometers with 2.700 meters of altitude difference. Only at a certain point Philipsen decided that he had to go and get it., 10 of them found themselves in front, and then on the descent the group regrouped. In the end, 46 of them arrived together, on a similar stage…
And now, Salvoldi?
Now we must react as we always should when results aren't forthcoming. The results from the two-day Italian event have already been more positive. We'll continue working, we'll be at the French event in Morbihan, we'll skip the Swiss one, and we'll finish our Nations Cup in Germany. I will always work with a group of men that we started to focus on from the beginning of the season, but we will continue to rotate them.After all, we have to submit our squad lists well in advance, so it may happen that those who stand out in the Italian calendar aren't included now. But for the title matches, I'll take a more collective approach.
