Il Giro Next Gen by Matteo Scalco ends the day after the queen stage, arriving in Fosse. 172 kilometers, five GPMs with more than 3.000 meters of altitude difference where the rider of the Vf Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè paid 23 minutes to the winner Jarno Widar. Scalco slipped out of the top 15 and went home, the reason was acute pharyngitis which prevented him from continuing the Under 23 pink race.
Growth
A retirement that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth, but Scalco has grown. In the two years with the youth team, led by Mirko Rossato, has made significant progress.
"Compared to 2023," he told us as he left Borgo Virgilio, "many things have changed. First of all, school, the hours we worked were long, as was right. Since this year, however, I have been able to dedicate more time to cycling and preparationI've taken care of every detail, including nutrition, where I feel I've made progress. I saw good results right from the start, from the first race in Türkiye, the Tour of Antalya. Then the calendar continued with a two-faced spring."
In what sense?
I raced a lot among the professionals with the presence at the Coppi and Bartali and then at the Tour of the Alps. In the meantime I still took part in competitions for under 23s such as Recioto and BelvedereOn the one hand, I'm happy to have gained so much experience among the big boys, but it was clear that it was difficult to achieve results.
Il Tour of the Alps was it the most difficult race you've done so far?
The level was really very high, considering that the protagonists of the Giro were there. It was definitely a great emotion for me, turning around and seeing Geraint Thomas a few inches away is quite an experience. Especially at 19, it's beautiful and absolutely not predictable.
What kind of ride was it for you?
I saw how it really works among the greats. It's a different way, both in how you approach the climbs and in how you behave in a group.Every kilometer that passed I tried to look around and understand, learn.
Before going to the Giro Next Gen you ran with the national team in Poland…
That was one of the stages of preparation for the Giro Next Gen. I was actually satisfied with what I did, the sensations were goodI had a bit of bad luck that affected the result, but I was confident.
So you arrived at the Giro ready?
I knew I'd done a good job. I also knew the level would be truly competitive. In the first stages I was happy with what I had done., the team was counting on me and Pinarello.
You paid a bit on the way up…
I knew it could happen, but I'm a rider who thrives on undulating terrain. On certain climbs I still have to improve, grow. Return home early from Giro Next Gen I was sorry, but it was impossible to continue.
Now do we reset our heads and start again?
We'll see how I recover, I'll probably miss the Italian championship. The goal for July is the Aosta Valley, I still have a month to prepare for it and I hope to do it as best as possible.The team is putting their trust in me and I want to repay them.
