Lorenzo Ursella's last year was a nightmare, but now that his feelings and numbers are aligning, perhaps that gritted teeth will turn into a point in his favor. The Friulian of the DSM Development Team He had fallen at the Tour of Brittany, on April 27th without any particular reason of interestA tense stage, the finale full of climbs and descents. And when they fell in front of him, he put his foot down, but he could do little against the tsunami of the group. They had overwhelmed him and thrown him down, breaking his malleolus and tibiaThe intervention had also been timely, but Living with the plate and screws was no walk in the park., even though he returned to the group in September and hasn't stopped since.
«I'm leaving for Holland on Wednesday – he says – after last year, with what happened, I didn't run that much and I haven't been able to express myself to the fullest or grow as I would have likedLet's say I missed 2022, but now I'm working hard with the team and I feel that the leg is starting to grow and the condition is coming outI'm sorry I had to withdraw from the Giro di Sicilia due to a fall, I really wanted to. Absolutely, since I started cycling again in August, I never stopped. I rode my bike all winter.».
What will your schedule be?
I will stay up in Holland the whole month of May. I have two one-day races on May 5th and 6th and then from the 17th to the 21st Fleche du Sud, which is instead run in LuxembourgFrom there the next race will be the Italian championships. I won't talk about the Giro d'Italia U23 because I'm a reserve, although I'd like to participate. We'll have to see how I and others fare.
When you say your legs are starting to turn, is that a general statement or are you working on your speed qualities?
Currently we put aside the discussion about flights for a bit, because I have the peak anyway, so the quick start is in place. We're working hard on endurance and climbing. We're increasing our training hours week by week. Maybe a couple of months ago, I'd be exhausted after three minutes of full-throttle, now I can do double that. We improve a little bit with each workout, so we can one day achieve the results we're looking for. The numbers say that physically I'm on the right trackAnd this makes me more optimistic. I always have been, because one day I want to get to do something important.
So we're not just talking about quantity, but also specific jobs?
Exact. This week I had a block of many hours on the bike, but also with a lot of workIt's clear that you'll lose some of your peak speed, because by reducing weight and increasing resistance, it's logical that the peak speed will decrease. However every two weeks we do recalls or work in the gym to check the situation on all frontsi.
How do you feel about the team?
Good. They have a method that I wouldn't say is strict, but let's say it must be respected. They are very picky about things, you have to stick to what they say.It's a system that may not be right for everyone, but I'm quite happy with it. Every now and then I have my moments too, but let's say that when you get used to working, you can make it go well.
How does it feel not to win for a year and a half?
Last year was bad, because I didn't run much, so it wasn't a great experience. The first month with the cast was quite hard.In fact, the team told me to put the bike aside, so I focused on something else entirely and passed it. This year I'm trying to think positive and keep going, because I see the results are comingYou just have to wait, maybe even get a little lucky.
Have you been training alone at home these days?
Here in the area, especially in the winter, I agree with both De Marchi and Jonathan Milan. We have a great group and we train together often. It's a little more difficult now because we're all away at competitions.
Have you been in touch with Amadori for the World Cup or the European Championship?
I spoke to him already at the beginning of the year and he said that he would like to have me and that's why he included me in the larger groupBut now it's my turn to prove something. In theory May should be a good time, because the next races are quite suitable for me So I have something to prove now. These are classic Northern races, with steep but short climbs and perhaps a sprint finish.
It's clearly too early to talk about a move to the WorldTour, even if his contract expires at the end of the year...
After what happened last year, we haven't spoken. I had no results, it would be illogical. That said, I honestly don't know what we'll do at the end of the year. We are watching and the team will also be making its assessments.
