It's clear he can't wait to start his new adventure, and it couldn't be otherwise, especially considering his transfer breaks down a small taboo. After two seasons as a junior in Team Giorgi, in 2024 Samuel Privitera will run in the Hagens Berman Axeon-Jayco, one of the most important continental teams on the international scene, which from next year will be the Devo Team of Jayco-AlUla.
The eighteen year old Ligurian will also meet Mattia Sambinello and their passage represents a historic record, because never before had any young Italian been hired by the US team led by Axel MerckxA working relationship that is renewed after the previous one at the end of 2018 when the Belgian sporting director fished Karel Vacek from the Bergamo club. Privitera is an attentive and "on the ball" guy: we have confirmation of this every time we talk to himThe impression is not that he's just eager to wear the new jersey, but that Samuele wants to follow the same path as the athletes who preceded him.
Thank you Team Giorgi
In the last month Privitera had to recover from the fall at Piccolo Lombardia where he fractured his radiusHowever, he managed to pedal, partly on the rollers and partly around his Soldano, taking advantage of the mild climate of the Riviera di Ponente. Before delving into his transfer, it is right to give credit to the club he is leaving.
«In my two years as a junior – explains Samuele – I grew a lot at Team Giorgi. In addition to the technical-physical aspect, I have changed a lot on a psychological level.The environment allowed me to never have to worry, hosting me during long periods away from home for races. Last year, every race was a good opportunity to get a result; in fact, I treated each one like a World Championship. This year, I worked differently.I focused on the bottom, on willingly helping my teammates and then on performances in the second half of the season. I managed to get two victories and other good placingsI close very satisfied. Thanks to Team Giorgi I have matured and thanks to them I feel ready for Hagens».
How did the contact with your next team come about?
My agent Alessandro Mazzurana took care of it around 2023. I was happy because I already knew Hagens well from all the pros who had been there. Then in February I did the internship retreat with them in Castagneto Carducci. There were two of us, the other guy was Jarno Widar who however signed for Devo Team Lotto-Dstny. I arrived in good shape because I'd also attended a training camp with the national team in Montichiari. At the end of those days in Tuscany, I think I made a good impression.
What happened next?
First of all, a few weeks later they supported me with the materials. In fact, on my team's Guerciotti they mounted the groupset and other components that they used at HagensFor this I have to thank both my team and the manufacturing company itself that allowed me to make these changes. Then there were the talks with Axel Merckx and Koos Moerenhout (who is also the city of Holland, ed.)
What did the two sports directors tell you?
They talked to me, telling me they were happy with me. I already have a good relationship with them, I'm hearing from them quite frequently.I can only listen and learn from everything they tell me. Axel for me is one of the best technicians in the world in working with young peopleHe let at least fifty of them pass through, all of them of a high level. Koos leads people like Van der Poel in the national team, that's enough for me (smiles, ed.) We also met with him in the summer, because the contract needed to be finalized.
Tell us about it.
We met in Manerba del Garda during the stage of the Giro NextGen. We discussed a few things, but I didn't sign. I did, however, return home with his guarantee that I'd have the job for the next two years.. In short, compared to February it was another step forward towards my move to them.
Have you had any other proposals?
Yes, there were other Devo Teams, too, but I had clear ideas from the start. I knew I only wanted to go to foreign teams, because almost all the Italians had grown up well. And then I wanted to enrich my cultural background. When Hagens's proposal arrived, I immediately said yes.Their project speaks for itself. I also discussed it with Karel Vacek, who was with them. In 2024 they will be the development team for Jayco-AlUla, but they still want to maintain their independent identity.So much so that every Hagens athlete has the right to evaluate offers from other WorldTour teams.
Basically, this year you found yourself running with a more relaxed mindset because you were already certain you'd settle down. Was it easier or more difficult?
I have to say that going to the races with such certainty helped me a lot mentally. I didn't have the pressure of having to necessarily achieve results. So this situation allowed me to grow in a more focused way, even in training. As I said before, I put myself at the service of the team, but I noticed that I was going to the races with a more… rider's mentality. In the second half, I had the most important events. I failed at some, but I did well at others. In international competitions I have shown that I can go fast. The third at Buffoni or the sixth at Paganessi, where I was the first Italian, are proof of this.
What are Samuele Privitera's goals for 2024?
I hope so take a lot of slaps at a sporting level because they help you grow (He answers with a smile and in one breath, ed.) Broadly speaking, only a fool would think he wouldn't take a beating in his first year as an U23. I want to get to the end of my second year in the category ready to do wellIf I make it, great, otherwise it means I'll have to grow even further and work harder. Looking ahead to the short to medium term, I already know that between training camps and competitions, I'll be surrounded by kids with incredible talent. In agreement with the team trainer, I will also be followed by Pinotti (one of the Jayco-AlUla performance coaches, ed.). While we still have to define the calendar, even if I don't hide the fact that I would like to run the Giro NextGen or the Val d'AostaI can't wait to go on training camp. Always in Castagneto Carducci, because both Merckx and Moerenhout are in love with Italy.
