How much harm can it do? losing a stage race while finishing with the same time, in second place, as the winner? It doesn't happen often and even more rare is the case that there are three to close the race and play for the final victory based on the placings. This is what happened in Richard Perani, but the rider of the Trevigiani He has already learned that you have to get the best from racing, even if the aftertaste is bitter.
At the Giro del Veneto everything went smoothly, with even a stage victory, but in the end it wasn't enough to beat the Belgian Ferre Geeraerts (DL Chemicals-Experza Cycling Club): "I didn't expect to be in the general classification, I'm certainly not a man for stage races as a whole.I was a little surprised at myself, that I held on, even mentally, thanks to the people who are following me and who made me believe in myself and in fact a good result arrived."
What were the three stages like?
The first two were completely flat, in fact we had a very high average speed. The last one was more rugged with short climbs in the last 50 kilometers, and we thought there would be a selection there. But I'm good on those types of climbs, in fact I held my ground. The first stage went well, it's a shame that my legs weren't the best towards the end. I didn't even think I'd be able to sprint, but instead I finished in second place. The second stage was similar to the first, except that I had to climb the 5km climb twice, which was quite challenging, with two breakaway riders caught 5km from the finish. There, Luca Rosa helped me close the gaps at the end; I started 500 metres away and, catching up, Oils and the victory came.
And in the last stage?
On the climbs of Vicenza a very dangerous breakaway took place with two men in the general classification, Cracks e Valentine along with English Harding of Zappi, with a teammate of mine inside acting as a stopper. Behind, I started pulling with my teammates to go and close with the Belgian team. We finished at -4 and there began a bit of continuous attacks and counter-attacks, but in the end we arrived in a sprintI got my position a bit wrong there, I went out a bit too far into the air and in the last 300 meters things went badly.
In the end, is it more the satisfaction, even the surprise of having reached that level, or the anger at having lost a race tied with the Belgian?
With a cool head, satisfaction prevails because despite having come second, I liked this Giro del Veneto because we raced as a team, my teammates and I, and the staff too. Of course, in the end, losing it like this is a bit sad, you always think about what you could have changed to gain that decisive second.
This year it seems like you've made some progress in your results, even though you're more of a road racer...
Yes and I have to say thank you to my trainer Philip Rocchetti He helped me so much with my physical growth. He was there for me all year, despite what happened on the team. It is also thanks to him that such a brilliant physical condition has arrived.It was not always an easy season, I was aiming a lot for the Giro NextGen But I wasn't feeling well physically. I really wanted a stage at the Giro d'Italia or at least a good placing, but I wasn't in the right place. But compared to last year, I ended the season improving in terms of condition and fitness from Capodarco onwards.
You mentioned the team's problems. What was the atmosphere like all year?
At the beginning everything was fine, then at the end of April the company has decided to change, ending the relationship with Rocchetti after certain promises made to us were not kept. In fact, Filippo left and no longer followed us; the new sporting director arrived. Rino De Candido, a man of great experience but who is the complete opposite of Philip.
How do you get along with him?
We have a very professional relationship. Work-related in the strictest sense of the word. We see each other during the races, and we connect during the week for training. He's kind of my employer.I had a friendship with Filippo, first and foremost. Even if the race went badly or something happened, he was there, he knew how to ease the tension, to defuse the anger of the moment.
Are his companions experiencing this transition in the same way?
Yes, Filippo and I had more of a friendship, while Rino's relationship is closely linked to running. Maybe there is one call a week, but Filippo was much more involved., maybe we talked every day even for simple things, to see how you were.
Will you change teams next year?
Yes, I'm going to Beltrami TSAI will be the first year elite, I will work with Matteo Provini who is the new sporting director this year and I have a lot of faith in him, to try to bring home more results and maybe make the leap to the professionals, because I think that physically I still have room for growth. The fact that I passed Elite has not taken away my hope, on the contrary it has given me an extra incentive to try to demonstrate that even though I am – it seems absurd to say – an advanced age for cycling today, I am still fully capable of cycling today. Precisely because it doesn't suit me, I'm ready to prove myself better next year.
