Among the teams excluded from the Giro Next Gen there is Solme Olmo, a team that over the years has always worked excellently, with a path of constant growth. Perhaps bringing a team like theirs to the Under 23 Giro d'Italia would have been a reward and an incentive to continue their methodical workThere are still some doubts about the choices made by RCS, but there seem to be very few about Solme Olmo's working method (opening image, photors.it)
«For the speech Giro Next Gen – explains the president Gian Pietro Forcolin immediately – We need to clarify that we are talking about business, which doesn't always go hand in hand with merit. I can accept that, even if it's true that looking at the teams chosen, one might find fault. RCS found itself in charge of organizing this race and decided to pursue its own interests.It would have been the responsibility of those who left the U23 Giro to provide instructions on how to distribute the invitations. The Giro is a Federation race that has passed into the hands of RCS, with all the associated burdens and honours.The latter reasoned as a company and the die was cast."
Constant commitment
La Solme Elm It's a team used to moving, travelling and racing abroad. A habit that has certainly been strengthened in recent years., but which quickly became an important part of Forcolin and his staff's work.
«First of all – continues President Forcolin – We run the entire national and international calendar in ItalyWe are also often outside the borders between Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, Romania and Poland. We have built great relationships with these territories and we enjoy going to their racesOn July 6th and 7th we will be in Slovakia and Hungary for two races. Then on August 4th in Romania for a one-day race and We will be at the start on the 6th Tour of Szeklerland, always in Romania.
We started looking beyond the border, given the lack of stage races in Italy. We made do. Abroad, national federations give space to the country's teams with appropriate competitions (problem addressed in Monday's editorial, ed.). Abroad has proven to be an excellent training ground, there are many professional teams there and the riders are of a good level."
Different objectives
Investments of time and money have led Forcolin's team to race outside of Italy. Our country's calendar is losing races and has lost many in the past, and if in those few that exist the I have to team up then it's easy to migrate teams to other worlds.
«Many – says Forcolin – consider us a small team, perhaps they are right. But our structure is solid and of a good standardThe team has a house with a dozen beds, where a masseur lives. We have four sports directors, a permanent mechanic, and two more on call. And starting this year, for the first time, we've decided to have a single trainer for the entire team.
A nice mix
«The squad is made up of 18 boys – he continues – with a good distribution between under 23 and elite. It's easier for us to have quality elite riders than under 23s. (this could be the only valid reason for the exclusion of Solme Olmo from the Giro Next Gen, as the points were obtained mainly by elite riders: Buddha, Chiarucci and Nordal, ed.). When the juniors pass they prefer to go to the squadrons, but then finding space there is difficult and the risk is that of pushing for the strongest.
«In 2023 we signed Menghini in his first year as a junior, he was without a team and at risk of quitting. Last year he achieved many good results and in the winter he moved to the General Store, continental team. I think having good elite riders allows young riders to grow, improve, and learn a lot."
Budget
Money drives a large part of the business and the athletes, there's little to get around it. Having a high budget allows you to make first-choice picks and have a more competitive squadBut this isn't always the case, especially with young people, where patience is often the key, a weapon that can't be bought.
«We have a smaller budget than the continental teams – he continues – and the other teams, but it's also a choice. It seems that everything is based on reimbursement to the riders, we are struggling to offer a substantial reimbursementThis is perhaps why many riders don't consider us, but the fees have changed in recent years. We have many projects in mind, but it's not easy to find sponsors, but we have the structure. Of course it would be easier to do something like Reverberi does with professionals and during 23, so I can participate in the best races. If the right sponsor were to come along, I wouldn't have any doubts about what to do."
