The theme of Italian guys who pack their bags and become U23s in the European WorldTour youth teams It certainly closely affects our continental models and, by extension, the professional ones. Basso and Contador's team had studied and implemented that mechanism years ago.. First as a continental alongside the Trek-Segafredo and then, since it became Eolo-Kometa, creating a chain that starts from some junior teams, passes through the Fundacion Contador U23 and ends among the pros. The head of the youth sector is Dario Andriotto, but Ivan Basso has his eye on everything and we wanted to hear about this topic. Especially since the rumor (not yet confirmed) has spread that Manuel Oioli, taken as a junior by Bustese and now riding for the Fundacion Contador, could leave for the continental stage of a WorldTour next year.
«We developed the youth project – confirmed Basso, opening with Rivi at the 2022 Giro – years ago, then it was taken up by stronger teams. We have paved the way, they have greater availability and behind them certainly larger teamsThe real issue is the budget, and finding resources is my job to ensure the future of my team. However, I notice that while before you called a 17-year-old and managed to meet him, maybe even with his parents, Today, if you're lucky, you can talk to him on the phone, otherwise he'll tell you to call his manager.. And I have to say that at a certain point I really make it a question of respect...".
Why are other teams more attractive?
I wonder that too. It's clear that Jumbo Visma has reproduced, and very well, the format that was once used by Mapei or LiquigasAt this stage I am an interested observer and fan, given that my son is in his second year as a studentAnd even though Andriotto takes care of him, if you ask him where he wants to go, he also talks about Jumbo. But my questions are different.
Which?
Are 17-18 year olds ready for such a high level experience? The old system doesn't work anymore? The format in which Nibali and Viviani grew up, to name two, is outdated or is it a question of a collective infatuation?
What do you think?
I'm conscious of working with young riders in the right way. We lost "Juanpe" Lopez and Carlos Rodriguez (one to Trek-Segafredo and the other to Ineos Grenadiers, ed.) because we didn't have a pro team yet. The first ones who will arrive at Eolo-Kometa having done the whole route with us will be Piganzoli e Third, who chose to trust us and sign, despite 7-8 WorldTour teams having approached them. However, I spoke to a rider I like and realized he's more attracted to international experience.
It's still a legitimate choice.
Absolutely, as long as they know what they wantI wanted to race at Carrera with Chiappucci, I had clear ideas. Where would you be happy to race? If they're happy to go to Holland or France with Groupama, we're done talking. There are parents who call me to ask if they should get an agent: I instead believe that at 18 years old they need Zanatta and Basso. As I believe for example that Colleoni and Conca would have had advantages in spending the first two years with Androni, instead of going straight to the WorldTour. For example, it should be noted that I have admiration for the French, since they let 8 kids go through to the first team.
Does all this make it difficult to manage the team?
I'm not frustrated or disheartened. I wasn't thrilled when we won on Zoncolan and I'm not depressed now.The problem is budget, I know very well that with ours I can't challenge teams that cost 30 million a year on the same pitch. I can fight to become a great professional and get to the top of the rankings, but the fact that we were born in the Covid season didn't help us in this, despite having sponsors who have been with us for five years. What I'm waiting to see is the continuation of these young careers.
In what sense?
Not everyone is suited to certain environments so far removed from our culture. And not all big teams have space for kids to do good work.. Then, as in football, one could not reason about theentrust them to smaller teams like ours so they can gain experience in high-level races And perhaps gain value? Because in Italy right now the situation is there for all to see.
And how is it?
We are like a family that she lives on a shoestring budget and has to be careful about everythingWe struggle to hire good players because they cost too much. Let's try to hold on to the ones we've developed and look for young players who believe in us. However, it is not at all true that those who have a lot of money automatically work better.Let's not confuse the international experience of racing abroad with living there. It's not the same thing at all.
