Behind Pavel Novak and Florian Kajamini, at the court of MBH Bank-Colpack-Ballan-CsbLorenzo Nespoli's talent is growing. Athlete from Brianza, from Giussano, born in 2004, who in his second year as U23 won the GPM jersey at Giro Next Gen (in the opening photo NB Srl). He did it at the last stage, the one in Forlimpopoli, which crowned the talent of Widar.
«The idea of looking at the GPM classification was born in the stage of Pit – says Nespoli himself – I found myself in the breakaway and gained a lot of pointsBut I was missing one to get the blue jersey, so in the last stage I went on the run to conquer this important personal goalThe team helped me a lot and I thank them again for that."
Against the "big"
The first experience at Giro Next Gen It allowed Nespoli to compete against the strongest athletes in the under-23 scene. He emerged with some good answers but also with the certainty that there is still a lot of work to be done.
«I came out tired – he admits – so much so that I rested a bit in these weeks. As an experience, that of the Giro Next Gen, I consider it positiveWe went really strong for all eight stages, I helped Kajamini e NovakI have to say it felt like I was racing with the professionals, which is what I did at the Coppi e Bartali and the Tour of Hungary. Indeed, to Giro Next Gen In my opinion we were faster on the climbs than Coppi and BartaliDuring the Giro d'Italia we all did incredible numbers, the average watts every day were very high."
This is your second year at Colpack, how did you find it?
I'm doing well. I had some physical problems in 2023, but they were easily resolved. This year the preparation was done differently, taking it one race at a time, with clear goals. I've grown a lot, but there's still a lot to do.
How are things going with the staff?
I get along very well with the trainers, Antonio Fusi and Dario Giovine. But also with Gianluca Valoti and Antonio Bevilacqua the relationship is very beautiful, sincere and positiveWe're all very united, which is important, because when we're in training camp or at the races everything feels easier.
Who follows you, Fusi or Giovine?
Both. I live near Fusi and when I'm home he often follows me. Giovine, on the other hand, makes the tables for me and it is with him that I compare myself in retreatCompared to 2023, we did a good job preparing the appointments well. For example, for the Giro Next Gen we stayed in Sestriere for three weeks.
Now comes the Giro della Valle d'Aosta…
It's going to be a nice date. In this case too our strikers will be Kajamini and Novak, but I will also be able to have my sayI hope to train as hard as I can these next few weeks, but the climb will put everyone in their place. I think I can do well in the Aosta Valley; it will be an important race for me.
You have a particular physique, you are very tall: 185 centimeters, but also light, just 65 kilograms.
A characteristic that has always accompanied me, ever since I started riding a bike as a childNow I think I'm a climber-router. Compared to pure climbers, I pay something uphill, but on the flat I have a better pace, which also helps me in the time trialEven as a junior, I didn't win much, but I was always placed and two of the four victories I achieved were hill climbs.
What are you missing to take the final step?
I think I'm close to being competitive on the climbs, but overall there's a lot to do. On the flats, I'm strong, and I can handle high paces better than lighter riders. Over the course of eight days at Giro Next Gen I was fine even in the final stages, this is a good sign.
So you think you can become a stage racer?
It depends on what you decide with the team. I realized at the Coppi e Bartali, where I rode in a small group for two stages, that I felt really good the following days. So the objectives can be different, perhaps saving energy and then focusing everything on one stage. Or distribute your forces to be competitive in the other rankings, as done at Giro Next Gen. Maybe I could even try to test myself in a stage race of minor importance to see if I can cure the general.
Maybe next year different windows will open…
Il 2025 It will be important. I think racing with the pros is more suited to my characteristics. I prefer a high pace, with fewer sprints; consistency is my strong point.
