Francesco Lamon is the guiding thread of the Italian team pursuit on the track, his presence at the European championship in Zolder is the confirmation of his importance in the project. The Venetian came out of the continental track commitment with good form, so much so that he used it to win the Spinners Dubai match, a road event in the Emirates from which he returned just yesterday.
"I'd already run in Dubai in January," he says as he heads to the gym to train, "but the other day's event was easier. I ran wearing the Dubai Police jersey. I decided to do this race after the European track championship to take advantage of my condition, given that the season won't be that demanding on the parquet."
The new cycle
The European Championship in Zolder has put the spotlight on the Olympic four-year period of Los Angeles 2028. Work has officially begunFrancesco Lamon started it alongside a wave of young Italian talents, twenty-year-olds who immediately made their mark.
«Starting this 2025 together with the young people – he continues – was beautiful, I would have liked to be able to win a medal. It was really close, but I think they gave it their all. Having ridden together so little, given their road commitments and various retirements, I think the time achieved should be considered very good (the young quartet recorded 3'54″169, ed.)It's a group with excellent material to work on and invest in. Fighting for the bronze medal until the very end was a good sign and an excellent starting point."
Do you think they can follow in the footsteps of Ganna, Consonni and Milan?
When I saw it coming Ganna e Milan you could see that they had something out of the ordinary, an incredible talent. Comparing them to today's youth is risky, but in terms of characteristics I see them as similar.There are only two "Jonny"s and "Pippos" in the world. It's difficult to compare them, but these young men have talent, we've seen it.
From what?
The times recorded by Favero and Grimod in individual pursuit they are not trivial. Favero, who already raced in last year's track world championship with us, took fourth place and lapped in 4'08”A very respectable time considering he's just starting out, and individual pursuit is an endeavor that the more you do it, the more you understand how to tackle it.
What aspects did you work on most with them?
More than the performances, those are there, we had to be good at keeping them calm. They rightly lack experience and managing the tension is not easyThey're twenty years old, and when I was their age I experienced competitions like this too. I tried not to let this aspect weigh on me and I think I succeeded., compared to the World Cup, things went much better. Especially with Favero.
Why?
After the crash at last year's World Championship, he started out more hesitantly, but I managed to keep him calm, even with a few jokes. In the end, with a smile, I told him: "It can't get worse than the World Cup."I believe that group strength is important and even making light of things helps young people. Falling and making mistakes is normal and part of growing up.Favero showed some great things at this European Championship.
Compared to when Ganna and Milan arrived, the quartet is the benchmark of the Italian track. Is there more concern for the young players?
When the two of them entered the track orbit, we were not one of the leading national teams. Now the pressure is higher, young people like Grimod and Favero arrive in a more channeled context.
It's difficult to make comparisons in terms of characteristics, but in terms of attitude?
In these boys I see the same determination that was in the eyes of Milan and Ganna. This is to help them overcome anxiety and get used to being part of a big and ambitious project.You have to get used to representing a major national team.
How do you do it?
Staying present in the community. This year there are few events; there will only be one World Cup. Creating a group won't be easy since there will be less running, but these guys need to maintain the habit of coming to the track to ride. If they disappear for six months, it's no good; they need consistency.
The fact that Salvodi, who had them as a junior, has arrived is an advantage…
He certainly knows them and they know his working method and they know what he wants from the athletes.
