Fifth place in yesterday's Italian championship is the right springboard that Masciarelli needs to project himself into the Giro del Veneto, which begins tomorrow. This result in the race for the Under-23 Italian national team jersey inspires courage and confidence (cover photo by NB Srl). The rider of MBH Bank-Colpack-Ballan-Csb he got one foot back on track, now it's time to add the other one too.
«I stayed here in Veneto, where yesterday's race was held – he says – so today I'll take a short ride and tomorrow I'll be ready to go. The Italian championship (won by Zamperini, ed.) it was a good test all in all, with a bit of bad luck, but it doesn't matter. Right away I got caught up in a minor crash, so I chased. Then, as soon as I got back, the group split up. Yet another chase. When the first five emerged, including my teammate Ambrosini, I was in the second group.
Good performance
The one obtained in Trissino is a significant fifth position, arrived after a dull period, yet another for Masciarelli since he returned to Italy.
«I felt good while running – he continues – I haven't felt like this for a while. I stayed with the best even when Gualdi raised the pace on the climbs, but by then Zamperini had run away. After a while, I realized I might be able to bring something home. The condition was there and in view of the Giro del Veneto I would say that the signal is excellent".
You're back after a period of absence...
Even in 2024, luck did not smile on me. After the Giro d'Abruzzo I discovered I had a stomach virusI hadn't been feeling well since the under-23 classics, between late March and early April. It was something in my diet, perhaps some food that wasn't cleaned or cooked properly.
How did you notice it?
From the fact that I couldn't perform at classics like the Giro del Belvedere and the Piva. The numbers were off, but we didn't understand what was going on until the Giro d'Abruzzo. It was a shame because after a good start to the season I wanted to bring something home from the spring, instead, yet another stop has arrived after that of 2023.
Frustrating?
I didn't feel like myself. So much so that I stopped completely for a couple of weeks, I resumed when the others were in retreat for the Giro Next GenGiven the conditions, I wasn't in the pre-selection, but I would have liked to have done so.
As you said, another stop.
Since I returned to Italy I have never been able to be 100 percent myself. After the physical problems, I also lacked a bit of confidence in my abilities., to the point of being too wait-and-see. Lately I've been feeling better, more serene and calm. As soon as I returned to racing I achieved a second and a fifth place in TuscanyThen came yesterday's result. Victory is still missing.
Now comes the Giro del Veneto, the perfect place to try...
If I think about the race that's coming, I feel confident. The route is beautiful and there is no shortage of stops where you can try to do something.The second stage is interesting, while Saturday's circuit will be extremely tough. And let's not forget the final stage, Sunday, with the finish at Ossario del Pasubio, which could decide everything.
What have you missed so far?
Ever since I came back from Belgium I had certain expectations. I've been chasing them for so long, even losing focus on having fun.But to ride a bike and be high-performance, you need to be light-headed.
So the goal these days is to have fun?
Absolutely, to find myself again all I need is this, to do what I do well.
