It's been a few days since World Track Championships in Santiago e the emotions, strong, give way to what must be an objective examination of the situation from which Italy emerged from the world championship. There are many reasons to smile but also others to reflect, because foreign competition is increasingly stronger and if we think in Olympic terms it is clear that there is a lot to do, like the city Dino Salvoldi he knows well.
Salvoldi's assessment of the Chilean trip is positive but somewhat disillusioned: "I'm satisfied in relation to the expectations we had before leaving. Above all, I didn't think we would come back with any regrets, because I honestly thought we were further away than we had prepared for..Aside from a few races where we didn't do well, I had the feeling that the distance isn't as great as I feared, now that we're at the beginning of the Olympic journey. So there's a bit of regret for some results that ultimately could have been even better than what they actually were, and I'm referring especially to the quartet."
This is an important sign for next season because it means we're starting a little further ahead than you thought...
This makes me optimistic, but it will be true if we manage to implement the steps I have promised myself to add what is needed to be competitive. Considering that ours is a very young group and that there is a need for a certain continuity in trainingThis period will be important for me to contact the teams and establish times and methods for athletes of national interest, but much will depend on the Olympic qualifiers.
When will you have a clearer picture?
The qualification procedures should be communicated in December, together with the routes of the road races and we will then orient ourselves accordingly.It's clear that much also depends on the individual's desire to be part of a project, to have goals.
In this sense, how important do you think it was for the kids to experience the final part of Viviani's epic firsthand?
The boys and I – Salvoldi replies – have experienced not only the World Cup but also the last month of preparation and therefore his professionalism and dedication in training. Having him with us during our preparation period, the fact of training together certainly offered some stimuli and the prospects for young people who see that level as still distant, but achievable. But I also extend this discussion to Ganna and agree who I knew wouldn't be at these World Championships, but they came to Montichiari, when they could, to train with the boys.
Are you worried that there's a little more pressure on you, regarding the Olympians?
It was my first World Championship in the Elite category, for me every opportunity is a stimulus, it doesn't put pressure or fear on me. There is a discussion with them that will be built step by step over the next two years and it is closely linked to the definition of the Olympic qualification system.After December, we'll have clearer ideas and be able to think more clearly about what our planning might be.
Could they be there too?
It all comes from the individual's desire to be there. Calendar, agreements with the teams, if there is the will on the part of the rider, all aspects become subsequent, if not secondaryAnd based on the feedback I'm getting right now, I'm pretty optimistic about everyone's desire to have the best possible group.
On the other hand, however, there is the danger that we always look at the adults and not the young...
I want to be clear about this. The results will come from those who have already given so much, but are still hungry, and from those who have yet to express themselves, assert themselves, and don't know what margins they have. They won't be the same for everyone, We won't have another 5 or 6 Gannas or Vivianis any time soon, but I say we will have a couple of guys who can emerge or explode..
Watching the Omnium and Madison trials, Sierra and Stella showed some very good things at times. Do you think the final result was dictated by a lack of experience or a lack of endurance given the characteristics of the two trials?
I would add to these two factors a third – Salvoldi replies – prudence, dictated by me. Stella is a 2006, junior until last year, Sierra is a 2005 who had never played an omnium at such a high international level. Together, they tackled a 50-kilometer American race with established pairs. A better placing could have been achieved by their legs, but it was limited by caution, especially in the first part of the race, as there were no indicators of their endurance. In the omnium and the Madison, I was also very pleased with how they performed. After the race, in fact, they were approached by several champions and more experienced riders who complimented them on their attitude during the race.
Looking at other countries, did everything go as you expected?
There have been teams that showed up with all their starters, such as Denmark or the Netherlands themselvesOthers have brought half the team or more than 50 percent of their key players, but we're the ones who've made the most changes. I think especially of the quartet, identifying it as the team's benchmark. There have been nations that have fielded young individuals like us, but they were still already well-known athletes a generation ahead of ours—that is, athletes aged 24 and up; ours were in their twenties. This was the substantial difference that makes me optimistic., even knowing that in the immediate future, at least in the next two years, achieving results is essential.
