The one just ended was the last season as an under 23 also for Bryan Olivo, The rider from Pordenone who joined the Cycling Team Friuli with the hallmarks of a champion has experienced four difficult seasonsIn the first three years with Renzo Boscolo and Roberto Bressan he put together very few days of racing, just twenty per season. Lots of stops, injuries, braking and restarts that, as often happens in racing, wring your neck and in the end you come out tired..
"I've been home for a few days," Olivo explains, "and I'm taking some rest from a season that has tired me more mentally than physically. I finally had more continuity, there were some setbacks but they certainly weren't as heavy as the last three years.It was the first season experienced with a certain regularity, but compared to other years when I had the chance to show off I was unable to achieve the result».
Step by step
Bryan Olivo has made progress throughout his under-23 career, which has certainly been fraught with obstacles but has also seen improvements and some satisfaction.
«This year I missed the moments when I would have liked to confirm myself – he tells us with a hint of bitterness – because I arrived at the Italian time trial championship tired from Giro Next Gen. Similarly, again at the Giro, I didn't have the chance to find the right moment to join the breakaway in those two stages where I knew I had a chance. Mentally, not getting results weighs on you, you get tired and you keep thinkingYou chase them and they run away, in the end you come out exhausted.
«It's a shame because in my journey as an under-23 – explains Olivo – I've seen growth, despite the numerous problems. On a physical and mental level, I feel like I've made progress every year.I think if I could put together a few normal seasons I could do even more."
Are the results the problem?
Let's not hide it, in the last year of the under-23s you need those to get through. It's an obsession, but in the end I didn't think about it too much. in the moments when I was called to do my job.
You have passed as one of the great names of cyclocross, but also for the stopwatch, do you think there was a lack of direction?
No, I wouldn't say so. Given my characteristics, As for road racing, I saw that there must be a certain type of route. Or the race must be selective for some reason. For example at Saint Geo, in 2024, I won in a sprint on a small groupI don't have the speed for bunch sprints, but in that context I showed that I can win.
Likewise when the team went to be I have to team up of Bahrain has anything changed?
Internally, with teammates and much more, maybe yes, especially for the internationalization of the team. But they were secondary things, like the language for example.Let's say that a good level of English was required, while at the CTF it wasn't.
What about the organization?
No, the team has always worked well. I am then followed by Alessio Mattiussi since I was a junior, so nothing has changed.
Has there always been space in the team?
If someone is strong, they find a place and opportunities are given. I think I've proven to be a great team player., but it was already known within the team that I was good at giving a hand and supporting the captains. The decision not to let me pass was made by the WorldTour team., they rightly make the final decision.
Have you spoken to other teams?
Nothing at the moment, a black screen. I have no idea what I'll do, I try not to think about it too much and enjoy these days offWhen you have been cycling for sixteen years and have tied your life to this sport, it is difficult to think that everything depends on external causes.
Is there anything you reproach yourself for?
I don't know actually, maybe in the first two years as an under-23 I could have achieved something more on a personal level.
How does it feel to be promoted to elite, is it something that worries you?
In my opinion it is less important than it seems. I think it's a question of demonstrating the real value of the athlete, demonstrating what you are and how much you're worth.And I'm ready to put myself on the line again, sixteen years can't end like this.
