"I've sown a lot in these two years, now I have to learn to reap." He tells us this over the phone. Kevin Pezzo Rosola. To do this he decided to return to Italy and settle in General Store Essegibi.
The 2002 Veronese class (who will turn twenty on November 30th) comes from the two-year period in Tirol KTM Cycling Team, a continental team he joined almost in complete silence at the end of 2020. A choice that, despite not even a century having passed and given the many juniors now emigrating abroad, seems like a pioneering one. For Kevin, a fast and powerful rouleur, Austria was an important training ground. And he'll be the one to explain it to us. Just like his father Paolo, one of his future sports directors, he wanted to better explain what he had told us a few days ago about this return..
Father's Thoughts
«I said I was against his arrival – he had said in recent days Rosola senior I arrived at the General Store after the forced closure of Gazprom – because I didn't want there to be any possible conflicts of interest. Being on the same team could be a double-edged swordHe might feel more demanding of me. I, on the other hand, might give him fewer privileges than usual to maintain a balance with others. In any case, to avoid all this, we have decided that Kevin will be followed by Roberto Vigni, the other sports director. And you'll see that when the season starts we won't pay attention to our father-son bond anymore."
Kevin, how do you see this situation?
It's not easy having your father as your sports director, especially given the usual rumors that suggest there are recommendations or favoritism. Well, I don't think I'll have any. On the other hand, I also hope he doesn't treat me worse than the others. (smiles, ed.) I believe that, aside from the advice and direction Roberto will give me, my father will treat me like any other rider in training camp or racing, and like a normal father at home.
Let's talk about Corsican cycling instead. What were the years like at Tirol?
Particularly intense. I've competed in many small stage races and many international ones. A lot of quality, in short. My first year, I felt like I was transitioning to a junior. In 2020, due to Covid, I hadn't raced much, I was alternating my mountain biking more, and I was also getting my final exams. My third race was the Tour of the Alps with the pros. You can imagine the effort, especially for me, a non-climber. But it was also so satisfying to run among those champions that I almost didn't feel the effort. This year I continued along the same lines. In these two seasons I have made myself available to my teammates who are older than me. I'm thinking of Steinhauser, who now rides for EF Education Easy Post. Or Govekar, who joined Bahrain Victorius in June. Or Engelhardt, who won the U23 European Championship this year, finished sixth in the U23 Giro, and will be joining BikeExchange-Jayco.
Given the names, we'd say there were some responsibilities involved. What lessons do you bring back?
I knew Tirol was a team of mostly climbers. In fact, I achieved few results because the calendar didn't suit me. But I immediately understood the level I will find if I go pro. I learned to hold on., especially mentally. I know it will be useful in the future. I think I've matured a lot as a rider, although obviously I still have a lot to grow with. So, I came back having lost 5 kilos, now I'm around 75/76.
Physiological change or did you want it?
Having done a lot of mountain biking in recent years, my upper body was quite muscular. I needed to dry out, also to try to reduce fatigue on climbs and in general. I started losing weight at the beginning of the season knowing that I would race the Giro U23 And knowing that there would be long, tough climbs ahead. I usually struggled to get going again in the winter, but now I'm benefiting from this weight loss. In fact, I went to do a cyclocross race and I won it precisely because I feel better. (Trofeo Lombardia in Ospitaletto Mantovano, ed.) Now I'm considering whether to continue racing because I'd like to start next season strong.
Have you already set any goals along those lines for 2023?
Let's say yes. In the first half of the year there are races that I likeThere are many international teams where I could do well. I confess that I'm thinking about the Liberation of Rome.. It seems very suitable to me. But also some moving stages that are usually present at the U23 TourIf they do, they're fine with me. We'll see what happens, but I know I need to run as much as possible to gain experience. Of course the long-term goal is to become pro, but there's still time to think about it.
Kevin, why did you decide to return to racing in Italy?
Essentially because of the type of program. But also because I felt a bit of a lack of our team spirit.I didn't have a bad time in Austria, let's be clear, but they have a different mentality. They're very individualistic when racing. So things change tactically too. In Italy, on the other hand, I'd feel more comfortable in that respect. I've already seen that we are a good team.Let's say that now finding an Italian environment could be important and easier for my growth. Then I hope to give my father a victory. Or rather, at General Store..
