While his father Ivan was in departure for Santiago de Chile, to lead the national speed team to the world track championships, the son Samuel was on the other side of the world, in China, for take his first victory in 2025 at the Tour of MentougouA long-sought success, which gives a different meaning to his entire season.
An important experience for him, in a different context than usual after having practically travelled the world, in a calendar that has flanked many races of the Italian calendar with as many races abroad, especially in Eastern Europe and perhaps having achieved the goal right at the last minute also makes sense, representing the culmination of a journey of growth (photo Tour of Mentougou at the beginning).
«Chinese competitions are special, For example, we are not used to running on routes that are cordoned off practically for their entire length. "The quality isn't even bad, as you'd expect from an Asian trip. We're going strong, very strong, even; we've even hit 50 on average. It's turned out to be a great experience."
Did you set out with the goal of winning a stage?
Yes, absolutely. I had come with a circle on the agenda for the second stage because it was the only one for sprinters., even though in the last one I was close to being able to play a second chance, but I broke away from the group of 20 on the last climb near the GPM, after which there was a descent and the finish. If I had held on, with Bracalente e Chesini near me we could have tried to put together another winning sprint.
Which stage was the one you won?
From the moment we found out we were coming here and that they had brought me there specifically for that day, I wasn't caught off guard. It was a street circuit near Beijing, very wide, with almost three-lane roads and very wide 90-degree bends. It was basically done at a high speed, without braking at all. A short stage, 115 kilometers, less than three hours of racing. My teammates pushed for almost the entire day because a 14-man breakaway had broken out, which was quite dangerous on a circuit like that, because you go so fast and it becomes difficult to catch up. The last few kilometers were tough. Bagatin and Bracalente, we caught them at -5. Chesini gave me a hand in the sprint, he kept me in front in the first positions, then in the last kilometer I was careful not to lose positions, it was a straight avenue, starting from fifth position I managed to win.
You've been chasing this victory for a long time. What does it mean to you?
I had some difficult moments this year mentally, because it didn't arrive. I also had difficulty sprinting. I have to say thank you to my team, the MBH Bank for being there for me. Then in the last two months I've unblocked myself a bit mentally, I decided to live the season finale a bit more serenely And apparently it worked because last month in Romania I also did quite well and finally managed to get going. Ending the year without a single win would have been very hard on me.
What are your prospects for next year?
That's why it was important too. I still don't have a clear idea of what I'll be doing next year. We're making some moves with the agents, and we'll see. This victory was really needed at this moment, precisely because it gives the agent something to negotiate with, to demonstrate that I was also part of the group this year.I haven't had a completely underwhelming year, but a win at the end of the season has a different weight. Everyone says people remember the start and end of the season, so that's fine.
Is it difficult to tackle the cycling you're tackling, especially with your last name and having the same characteristics as your father?
Yes, also because comparisons are impossible. Today, sprinting is very different because you go very fast on climbs. I hold up very well on many climbs, but the level is constantly rising., so it will become increasingly difficult for a sprinter. I, like all other sprinters, must try not to miss opportunities, the few we have, and to do that we must first of all stay on the climbs.
A problem that didn't exist in your father's time...
Yes, we talk about it often. Not only has the way of approaching sprints changed completely, but cycling itself. I think sprinters like my dad, really strong in sprints but with poor uphill endurance, no longer exist. Now there are people who go faster uphill than the average. So when there's that flat race you have to try not to let it slip away. But it's not just a question of routes because training methods are also changing, you have to improve on the climbs, even at the cost of losing a few in the sprints.
