After three seasons the color of Andrea Montoli's uniform changes, going from the light blue of the Eolo-Kometa U23 to the white of the Biesse-Carrera (Instagram photo above). This is quite significant news for the Under-23 world, if only because Montoli was one of Ivan Basso's top prospects. In 2022, one also arrived training with the professional team and the prospects for 2023 were good. But something went wrong.
«The fall in mid-August in Spain – says Montoli while packing his bags to join his girlfriend in Friuli – caused me to fracture my humeral trochilus. I also suffered some damage to the cartilage, but now thanks to the work done with the physiotherapist it is fine.. However, the recovery times were quite long, but with caution I can do all the movements. I won't have any problems with cycling."
The new development for next season is the team change. Where does this decision come from?
In the internship done at the end of 2022 with the professionals I realized that moving on would be prematureAlso because I ran three races (Giro della Toscana, Coppa Agostoni and Giro dell'Emilia, ed.) and retired from all three. In 2023 I improved on a personal level, but the victory never came., many placings, yes, but not the important one. The crash was truly a shame...
Why?
Because in July I was pedaling well. In the three stage races, all held in Spain, I achieved as many top 10 finishes. From there, since I was starting to feel better, the idea was born to do a second internship with the professional of Eolo. The fall has put a damper on all plans...
So 2024 becomes your fourth and final year as an under-23.
Yes, speaking with the team and some sports directors it emerged that the Eolo Kometa U23 calendar would still be in Spain. I, for my part, wanted to try running more in Italy.. Competing in a few more races here could give me more motivation.
You already said at the end of 2022 that this year you wanted to try to make the leap in category...
In January 2023, so at the beginning of this season, I had the goal of pass within the third year. But I didn't get any outstanding resultsI was always there among the first and I never won. It's difficult to advance with these numbers and I had no certainties. So during this time I talked to a few people close to me and I decided to make this change.
Why?
In Spain there are professional teams, such as Kern-Pharma and Caja Rural, who have under-23 teams, but perhaps they look more at Spanish riders. I had the impression that by coming to race in Italy I would have had more visibility, also with regards to the national team.I want to run more at home, to test myself in our races too. I need a different stimulus, At Eolo I made a good calendar, but in Italy I often found a different rhythmAlready at the beginning of last season I saw that everyone was meeting at San Geo, while I started with the Spanish Cup matches.
Where did the choice of Biesse come from?
They looked for me for two years, It's a continental team and I also know some of my teammates.: I raced with Motta for two years CC CanturinoWhile I've trained with others sometimes, or they live close to my house. In the end, it seemed like the wisest choice. The schedule should be almost the same as 2023, then high-level races and some appearances with the professionals.
When will you meet to work together?
I already met the team at the end of October. Then from January 15th to February 4th we will have a retreat near ValenciaA nice, intense block of work to get you started.
