And if the results of Ganna open a new path for Italian cycling? A path that necessarily passes through the track. The Italian technicians, from Villa a Salvoldi, have been working in this direction for some time now and almost all the young talents we are producing divide their time between the two activities. Renato Favero is among these and interprets perfectly the stereotype of the rider who wants to assert himself on the road by passing through the track.
At just 17 years old, Favero already has a very respectable CV, so much so that Salvoldi made him a mainstay of the quartet that came within a whisker of the world record, but the standard-bearer of the Borgo Molino he is also becoming a very good road specialist, one of those long-distance cyclists who know how to stand out even outside of time trials (he was a specialty national team player in Wollongong).
A victory of pure strength
Favero has no intention of withdrawing from this double commitment, even if it costs many sacrifices: «Each specialty is useful to the other and I realize this every day.. The track work, especially the power work, is giving me great progress in changing pace."
A demonstration of this was seen at the Gran Premio Team del Capitano held a few days ago in Poggio Torriana (RN). A race like any other, Favero made it special not so much for his victory, but for how it came about.
«I was coming from the preparation and the world championship race – he says – and the effects were visible. That's what gave me the strength to leave with about twenty kilometers to go.I immediately gained 40” and then I continued to improve».
The importance of the team
The Romagna race thus turned out not to be a victory, but rather a domination by the Borgo Molino rider, with his lead growing dramatically.
«It was fundamental the work of his teammates who stopped every attempt at pursuit. This made it easier to manage the race and in the end we monopolized the podium."
Favero finished with 1'42” on By Bernardo and 3'15” up Of the Widows. A victory that sweetened the mouth after an Australian trip that had not satisfied him.
«And how can you be so after a 25th place? I had a classic bad day – he admits – perhaps because of the fall he suffered three days earlier. I really wanted to do well, to bring home at least a placing because I like the specialtyLet's say I've gained experience for 2023, but I hoped to do much better."
Track, work and sacrifices
In addition to the experience, the Australian scenery and the roads that were probably the cause of his disappointment remained etched in the mind of the rider from Mussolente.
«They were mountain roads – he recalls – with many holes and I ended up in oneTraining on the time trial bike was a problem. They were paved, for goodness sake, but really bumpy, in fact, many people slipped on the ground."
Returning to his dual cycling role, Favero has some sweet words for his city manager Salvoldi, with whom he only started working this year, after all.
«In February to be precise – he recalls – he brought me into the team, seeing my qualities. Working on the track is not easy, it means going to Montichiari every week, doing many training campsBut that's where we cemented the group and built an exceptional quartet that brought home the European and world titles that summer."
In the track group Favero has a teammate/rival in Luca Giaimi, European champion in individual pursuit which is also his specialty: «There is no rivalry with Luca, when we wear the same shirt we are on the same side, then it's normal that if we're facing each other everyone wants to win, but it's part of the game."
The five-ring dream
The work on the track also has more distant goals, rekindled by the extraordinary time performances.
"It's clear that thoughts go to the Olympics – he smiles – it would be a dream to participate. I'm confident that I continue to improve week after week, and the numbers and times speak for themselves. I'm not denying it. I really believe in it and it gives me the strength to face every trip, every sacrifice, even when I feel tiredness is about to take over."
The season is over now, but Favero isn't one to long for the holidays: "Apart from the fact that they're not holidays, because there's school... A bit of rest is needed, but I'm already thinking about when we'll start again.I'll start going to the gym in mid-November, with targeted exercises to help me build my physique."
A pending account
Renato mentioned school: «I'm enrolled at the ITIS in Bassano del Grappa, my final exam will be in 2024, so I'm calm for next year. Reconciling the two is not always easy. The trip to Australia for example lasted two weeks and As soon as I got back I had to work overtime to catch upLuckily, the benefits I get as a national athlete allow me to manage the studio."
For 2023 the Venetian already has clear ideas about what he wants to achieve: «Meanwhile confirm the track titles, then take those few hundredths off our time in the quartet to conquer the world record. Finally the world time trial championships: sorry, but I have a score to settle with those...".
