With 2020 to be thrown away due to covid, as he had defined it, Simone Raccani (in the center in the opening photo) took advantage of the season just ended to make hay in the barn. His first year at the Zalf Euromobil Desirée Fior he brought it to him right away a prestigious success of Capodarco and he had emerged from the Giro d'Italia under 23 on the rise. He had demonstrated it immediately conquering the lowest step of the podium at the Giro del Medio Brenta in mid-July. Simone was born in Thiene and, as a true Venetian, prefers actions to words, which, as they say, are carried away by the wind.
"I'm a rather introverted guy," Simone Raccani tells us. "At first, I struggle to connect with people. But once I get to know them, I have no problem talking and engaging with anyone."
After Capodarco, what kind of season was it?
Positive, I achieved good top ten finishes in all the races I competed in. I rode the peak of form that came after the Giro d'Italia Under 23 which I hadn't arrived in good condition.
Why?
It was also an issue due to the change of team. I'm not a very outgoing person and this unconsciously holds me back.Overall, I did well at the Giro, I showed off my skills but I never had the legs to make my mark.
How do you rate your first year at Zalf?
First of all, I'm happy to have arrived here. It's a team I've admired since I was a child. In my area, if you run in the amateur league, it's normal to dream about this jersey.I live very much day by day, race by race, I don't like to make long-term plans.
You switched from Beltrami to Zalf, why?
Covid complicated everything, the team was far from home, I struggled to feel part of a group. While with Zalf we are all close and we train Often together. There are 6 or 7 of us kids from the area near Marostica in total.
Introverted but very committed to the group…
I like to feel part of something big, be part of a mechanism that works. Then in a group workouts go by faster and we get to know each other better among comrades. We encourage each other and It also increases motivation and you can give 100 percentIn a team, it is essential to know each other so that you can dedicate yourself wholeheartedly to a single goal.
Have you already had the chance to meet them in preparation for next season?
We had a meeting a few days ago, but we'll do our first rides together at the retreat at the Hotel Fior.
Learn from the experts
Zalf is a team that values its group identity. This is demonstrated by the high quality of its riders. At the same time, they believe in the growth of their young riders; four elite riders will be competing next season.
Gianni Faresin He had explained to us how important the more experienced riders are for them., his words were also supported by those of ZurloBut to prove it, three clues are needed, and Simone Raccani is the right person to ask.
How important is the advice of the more experienced riders in the group for a young rider?
A lot, it seems trivial but it isn't. We don't have radios on the racetrack and having a teammate who takes the reins of the race and tells us how to move helps us.An example is my victory at Capodarco.
Tell us.
Before the race I spoke with Edward Faresin and he explained the route to me and told me when I should be in frontThe finale was unusual, with a slightly uphill straight. So he told me when it would be best to sprint, and that way I easily won the sprint.
How do they help you in training?
They lead the group, they know the roads best and know which routes to take. The most useful advice is about nutrition, which is then also reflected in the race., they remind us to eat or we learn from them how to make the right doses for the water bottles.
