The cyclocross season continues at full speed towards the next events, including the stage of World Cup in Val di Sole. In this final of 2023 one of the novelties is the presence of the 2005 class Samuele Scappini among the under 23 categoryThe young Umbrian is making his debut among the big boys, and there's a lot of buzz about him. He's fast off-road, but on the road, the excitement is even greater. The first to believe in his qualities was Eros Capecchi, technical manager of the Umbria Regional Committee.
From next season, Scappini will wear the jersey of Beltrami TSA-Three Colli, with whom he has already begun his cross-country period. "Running with the same team," Scappini says, " both in cyclocross and on the road it will allow us to follow a common path of growth.
First year U23
Cross-country skiing has already launched Scappini into the world of under-23s; the Umbrian boy has already run a lot and doesn't seem to want to stop.
«Tomorrow – Scappini tells us during a break – I will make my World Cup debut with Beltrami. We're going to run in Val di Sole, it will be the first time I will test myself on a surface like this (The reference is to snow, ed.) I'll find out if I like it or not. I'm a little excited, but honestly, I'm aiming to do well."
"The season started off well," he continued. "Despite the category move, I'm competing in a lot of races. I see the older guys, but they're not that far behind. I expected to have a little more difficultyI train a lot and the results are positive, I'm curious to see what I can do next season, when I'm a second-year under-23."
Where did you hear about the promotion?
In technique, I have improved a lot in these months. The thing that worried me most was the length of the race, which would go from 40 minutes to an hour.But I managed to react well, I'm training more and the results are good. I'm almost there, having the stamina to complete an hour-long race and be competitive.
There's also a lot of anticipation for what you'll be able to do on the road, Eros Capecchi was the first to say it.
He's known me since I was practically little. He always encouraged me to follow my growth path, he is convinced that he can do really well.
And what do you think?
For 2024 we'll see what I can do, if I can improve there too. I don't really know what to expect because I've never put much emphasis on this discipline.My focus has always been cyclocross.
How were your first steps at Beltrami?
They welcomed me very well and I'm training as best I can. The team follows me step by step with a coach. Certainly being part of a continental team means that the road will now have more weight in my calendar, but we haven't decided how yet.
The reason for Miodini
Miodini, Beltrami's sporting director, provides a real explanation for Scappini's arrival. The Umbrian speaks with the amazement of a youth that sees him eager to try, it's up to him to pedal. Instead, it is up to those around him to direct him on the right path.
«Its objectives – declares Miodini – arise from a broader need. The desire to test yourself in something newIt's clear that there will be difficulties, it won't be easy at the beginning. Scappini is very determined, in his motivation I see Heavy. Both have a determination that allows them to always be at the highest levelsHe's a boy we've bet on. This is his first year with the Under-23s, so we'll see how he adapts. He will definitely run a lot in cross country, then he will stop and take a break in the months of February and MarchIt will restart, as it did Augustine last year, at the end of March or beginning of April.
