Il cycling movement of Piedmont This year he fought and won several times, especially against time. Italian time trial successes Francesca Barale, Matteo Sobrero ed Elisa Longo Borghini were an important signal. And again the rainbow jerseys of Filippo Gana ed Elisa BalsamVictories and names that come from a region that churns out athletes but lacks the numbers and teams that other regions can boast.
Da an interview with Fabio Felline interesting insights have come to light on the the delicate moment that youth cycling in Piedmont is facing and on some possible unknowns for the future. We therefore decided to ask directly those who deal with this in a 360-degree way, covering the role of Regional Technical Coordinator and Regional Representatives: Francesco Giuliani.
What kind of year has it been for young people in Piedmont?
Was a beautiful year, we have also collected from past works, we are talking about a ten-year continuity. Speaking of the Junior, I'll be honest, I've never had such a strong team in the last eight years.
Really?
Yes, but we didn't collect as much as we could haveAn example could be the Italian championship. We always ran on the defensive and never on the attack. modern cycling is made of attacksSo we suffered a bit and we were satisfied with the placings, but it can happen. You shouldn't measure a season by results alone. Also because athletes like Manuel Oioli are emerging in a crystalline way.
What projects are there for youth cycling in your region?
This year I made a proposal to the new President of the Regional Committee Massimo Rosso (opening with Sobrero, Longo Borghini and Ganna, ed.) of a project to expand the pool of regional technicians. To provide more opportunities for the kids by providing more specific guidance without intruding on the teams' skills and compensating for them where necessary. We have also introduced a different working method that will be expanded in the future. A collaboration we have with the regional study center. We take some inspiration from the national structure., naturally in an adapted, smaller version. We also have a plan for athletic preparation for possible team trips. We have already made some this year collegial as regards the Italian championships and for the Tour of Lunigiana, taking the juniors for example.
So will you also be a support for the teams?
Yes, precisely to give advice where needed, to the clubs and potential riders called up for the national teams. We become an additional support for the teams obviously where there is a lackIf a company isn't in need, I'm even happier because it means it's working well.
Have you noticed a drop in talent?
The Piedmontese movement has always been unstable, and the pandemic hasn't helped. We will have a generational gap that will be visible from 2023, due to Covid, due to a lack of enthusiasm and motivationWe are already taking steps to cushion this blow. The downside, however, is the cycling of the very young which has grown a lot, because many sports were at a standstill while ours restarted quickly.
As for the teams, do you feel inferior compared to other regions?
To get a clear idea, Piedmont cannot be compared to Lombardy or VenetoIt would be a huge mistake. Both in terms of athlete catchment area and sponsorship. Piedmont, for a "small" region, is among the top ones. After Veneto and Lombardy I can say that we are positioned, together with Emilia Romagna and Tuscany And then all the others gradually follow. If you look at the numbers for the loss of clubs, races, and athletes, and compare them to the others, you see that ultimately, ours is the region that has lost the least. And yet, it managed to be competitive.
What is the situation for the under-23 teams?
We don't have that many teams, it's true.
Could this be a limitation for those who want to move from juniors to under?
No, because when you leave the junior roster, it becomes a challenging choice that brings so many variables into play. The teams are what they are also because they require significant budgetsRunners who deserve to move forward have no problems.
The model of regional teams such as: #inEmiliaRomagna e Cycling Team FriuliIs it replicable?
Piedmont is prepared and considering it, but not immediately. The technicians are evaluating it. A project like this requires a significant structure. Of course, committees work like all teams. You also have to consider that if you do a project of this kind it is going to take away the lifeblood from existing realities. This is a delicate matter that is currently being discussed. It's a decision that rests with the regional council and the president.
Aren't you worried about talent drain out of the region?
Ganna, Sobrero, and Balsamo to give some examples, it is true that they had to emigrate to other realities, but they left when they became under and elite not as juniors. Up to that point they had a path supported by Piedmont. It is a movement that has ups and downs as in every reality but there is a solid system behind it.
What do you mean by solid system?
There's ongoing support from the region. As do the companies that continue to churn out talent and do good work. To name a couple. Ossola Pedal It is a healthy company that grows talent, from which Ganna comes. The SC Vigor of the Balsam now it is giving space to many young people. We must not only look at the number of companies but also what lies behind them. It's also true that we always have to improve, and we're working hard to do so.
Do you see any room for improvement then?
Yes, of course. Among the teams that are asking me for some advice where I'm filming, I see many athletes who could have a future and be highlighted moreIt's not something that can be done overnight, we will do some activities, land companies will have to work in synergy with usBut together we work to give the opportunity and the means to those who deserve them.
Speaking with Viel from Turin, he told us that in his opinion cycling sometimes lacks appeal, compared to sports like football, which is hugely popular in your country…
At the youth level, the discussion is growing, as I was saying before we have put more and more little cyclists in the saddle. If I have to find a difficulty that I have also seen in other regions, it concerns the track. Having only the open-air velodrome of San Francesco Al Campo, lacking the facilities, it is difficult to approach the disciplineWhile if we always look at the same old ones, it's no coincidence that Veneto and Lombardy have many velodromes and it shows in the results. Despite this, we are the third or fourth force.
Do you think it's difficult to get young people interested in practicing?
Yes and no, in terms of numbers we are doing well. problem may be the actual number that runs on Sunday. If we talk about very young in its entirety, we enjoy excellent health, especially off-roadWhile if we talk about very young people who participate in races on Sunday, there are organizations that manage to get ten out of a hundred very young people to run. We are not talking about competitivenessAt that age everything must be absolutely fun. Teams must still encourage the little ones to engage in healthy competition which is not competitive but which you teaches the values of victory and defeat measuring the effort put into doing something.
