Massimiliano Gentili often repeats that he has two daughters who bear his name and two sons who are called Giulio Pellizzari and Mattia Proietti GagliardoniHe raised them both with his methods: he has already made one a top rider, the other still needs work, but the premises are excellent. Mattia, Umbrian like his mentor, has raced for Team Franco Ballerini for the last two seasons and will run the next two in the newborn Movistar Academy.
His season was perfect until the middle of the summer, then she was stuck in a surgery that compromised her participation in the season's highlights: the World Cup in Kigali and the European Championship in Drome et Ardeche, both suited him. However, his profile remains one of the most sought after in the recent transfer market, to the point that even the people were on his trail I have to team up of Lidl-Trek and Jayco-AlUla, overtaken by Movistar.
“The season finale wasn't what I expected,” he says. I had to skip the last races and towards the end of September I had surgeryI was out for a month and ten days and started pedaling again on November 1st. I took a forced holiday when I would have preferred to race, even though the season was positive. For August, when the most important matches arrived, for example Lunigiana, I would be better prepared and I was waiting to make the most of my situation. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned, but that happens."
What happened?
I went to high altitude with the national team, but then some cysts appeared under the saddle. First of all, I was out for two weeks and I had to skip Lunigiana, so at that point I wouldn't have made the World Cup. In any case, I started training again, because I was supposed to compete in the European Championships. I returned to racing at the Top Automazioni Trophy, but I fell and hurt my elbowI needed stitches and antibiotics, so I finished my season there.
How would you describe these two years as a junior? Power years? School years? Or years of maturation?
I've definitely grown a lot. The first year was a discoveryI immediately felt comfortable with the new distances and achieved some good results, such as second place in the Italian championship. I placed well in the national competitions, but I wasn't very consistent, because I wasn't used to doing big workloads, so it took me a while. This year, however, I didn't start very well because I had some problems at the beginning of the season. But when I was well, in races suited to my characteristics like at the Eroica, I've always managed to stay aheadBy August I was feeling pretty good.
Does it hurt that you didn't run the Lunigiana race?
Visa how did it go, I think I could have played the general very well. While in my opinion, I think I could have been a protagonist at the World Championships and the European Championships, certainly in one of the two, given that the courses suited me.
You joined the junior ranks without the gear restrictions that once existed to prevent overly strenuous work. How did you manage the jump up the ranks?
Let's say I didn't blame him for this passage. I have always had a lot of agility, ever since I was very young and a student, so finding her again with free relationships was not a problem.
What kind of path did Movistar propose for you?
Let's say first of all two years of growth in the team devo. I will have time to mature and compete both at a professional level and in the most important ones with the under 23s. We'll see how the season unfolds. For now, we've already had a training camp with coaches, staff, and nutritionists. They gave us the new bike, which is a lot of stuff. I've had it at home for ten days and today I went out with it for the first time. It's identical. to the WorldTour bike.
Does the idea of racing among professionals appeal to you?
I'm definitely looking forward to it. Racing with the pros is always great, so I'm looking forward to it. But at the same time... I can't wait to compete with my peers and try to compete in some important stage races., like a Giro d'Italia or maybe the Tour de l'Avenir.
You mentioned your peers: how does it feel to see you all leaving for teams abroad?
We've known many of them since we were little. And now, looking back, it's a little strange to think that We were all on regional teams and most of us are on WorldTour satellite teams. It sounds a little strange, but I think I'm speaking on behalf of everyone. This is the right path, so I think everyone will give their all. everyone will work hard to try to get the best.
What roads do you train on when you're in Foligno? Are there any climbs you test on?
I don't have a reference climb, though. I have reference times on various climbs and I adjust myself accordinglyI usually always go up towards Colfiorito, towards the Marche. In those parts there are several climbs within a few kilometers: 20-minute, 15-minute, 10-minute, and even 5-minute climbs, so it's a really top area for training.
Do you ever train with Pellizzari?
We met at the beginning of the year. I went out one morning when I hadn't gone to school and I met him while he was doing six hours.Giulio was coming home, he hung around for a while, and we talked a bit. Otherwise, the other times we go out together, it's when Massimiliano is there, too, and he talks to both of us.
Do you have to take your final exams this year?
Yes, but by my own choice, I decided to switch to a private school. I attended a scientific high school for four years and it was always tough, I was never helped by the teachers. So we decided to go to a private school. I can follow everything online, so In the morning I have time to train and in the afternoon I studyI think I'll be based at home, except for training camps. We'll have one from December 11th to 22nd in Spain, near Alicante. Then we'll have the team presentation in Madrid before Christmas. We'll be training with the WorldTour team, which I'm also looking forward to…
