KATOWICE – Lorenzo Milesi he is ready for the big challenges. The rider of Dsm-Firmenich he is called to the championship Glasgow World Cup under 23, both on the road and in time trials, and at Return. At the Tour de Pologne he is trying to refine his leg.
Lorenzo smiles, he's one of the few to actually do so at the sign-off sheet this week, everyone's serious. But that's just how he is. Usually, those who are in good shape, those who are feeling good, smile... and we saw it again yesterday at the start of the time trial. with Cattaneo and Mohoric.
He seems quite fit to us. Although to tell the truth, he is a massive, powerful rider. He certainly doesn't have flamingo legs. But that's the power he's looking for. Marino Amadori for Scotland.
Lorenzo, we're going to the World Cup: are we ready?
Yes, I hope so! Yes, come on, I'm fine. The tests these past few days, especially the fifth stage and the time trial, didn't go badly. Maybe the time trial could have gone better. Let's just say I didn't have great legs, although in the end it didn't go too badly anyway. (Lorenzo finished 25th, 49″ behind Cattaneo). These were two important stages to assess my condition well, also because I will also be doing the time trial in Scotland.
How long had you been in agreement with Amadori? How did you organize the competitions?
The 2023 World Championships, both in time trials and road races, was already the goal last year. Marino and I had discussed it before the winter. So the team gave me the race schedule to fit this commitment. They had me do the Poland race specifically to prepare for the World Championships and the Vuelta.
How did you work?
I think so. I spent a month at high altitude. First a week alone in Livigno, then three more with the team on Kuhtai, above Innsbruck. I think I have reached a good level, even if I admit that in the first stages of this Tour of Poland I've had ups and downs, and honestly, I don't understand why. There were moments when I felt really good, and half an hour later I felt bad. Then I felt good again. It's probably part of finding my race pace, I don't know...
Who will be the most dangerous in Glasgow?
In the time trial for sure Alec Segaert and also Fran Miholjevic. On the road, it's a bit of a lottery. There are those 15 riders who can win. You never know how it will go. Let's think about last year: Fedorov He attacked every lap, it seemed like he was going to give up, but instead he won… And nobody expected it.
You Italians haven't raced together very often. You're in the WorldTour, they're in continentals or other teams: how do you find the chemistry?
But we all know each other from the races we've done in past years, and that helps. And we're a great group," Milesi laughs. We have our World Cup chat and we have fun. We'll try to do it there too.
Lorenzo, it's not just the World Championship, right? There's also the Vuelta: the first major Giro…
Yes, but take it easy. Honestly, the World Cup is on my mind right now.
And you don't think about the Vuelta?
Yes, certainly. It's obvious that I'm here with the team above all to prepare for the Vuelta. It's a combination of work—the team, the national team, the coaches, the goals—that's been put in place over the months. But let's look at it game by game. Now, the World Cup comes first.
Do you in the “Vuelta group” talk about it in the team?
Not much here, but at the retreat, yes, as I said, we spent three weeks together... But it's pretty relaxed. We're not making it a fixed point.
Top approach
Lorenzo is having a good Tour de Pologne. He made himself available to the sprinter, Van Unden, on the first stage. He was on the attack on the second. Yesterday's time trial was a crucial test. It was an attempt to fine-tune some details for the World Championships. A race against the clock this far from the World Championships is ideal for reviewing certain protocols, reliving certain sensations, and finding a feel for a race format that always remains unique.
This year, Milesi arrives in Glasgow with more serious races under his belt, not just more experience. Last year, Fedorov had competed in the Vuelta. Others had taken part in WT races. Lorenzo had "only" competed in the Avenir. Poland's neck-twitching might be beneficial for him. For the Azzurri. For the Vuelta... Meanwhile, the plane awaits him in less than 24 hours. Milesi's schedule is pretty full.
