The fireworks closed as per tradition the Six Days of the Roses from Fiorenzuola, but they were also present on the track on the final evening. The men's final podium was prestigious: The French climb to the top step (with the reigning omnium world champion Benjamin Thomas paired with Donavan Grondin), the Italians go in second (with the reigning Olympic champion of the same discipline Elia Viviani together with Simone Consonni) and the Russians in third.
About a month before the Olympic Games (2-4 August team pursuit, 5 August omnium, 7 August madison), the city Marco Villa and his boys come out of the international competition in Fiorenzuola with valid indications for Japan and we approached two of the protagonists: Elia Viviani and Simone Consonni who will run the Madison, a specialty that returns to the Olympic program after a 13-year absence.
Viviani Security
The so-called "American" in the Piacenza velodrome has just finished, Villa looks to the future with good impressions and his pair are warming down on the rollers, while they are surrounded by many young fans looking for a photo, an autograph or a souvenir. We intercept the two riders of the Cofidis a few minutes later.
Elijah, what do you get from this Six Days?
We needed to run the omnium and the American because It had been a long time since we ran on the track and before the Olympics it was a good opportunity to compare ourselves with the others and make efforts that you can't make in training, whether you like it or not. We ran four demanding days where we tried relationships, running in one way and another, just to learn something and improve our condition.
You have achieved good results in these evenings anyway.
We finished second in both the omnium and the madison, which means that there is still work to be done but the foundations are goodI found a good feeling with Consonni, we're on the right track. There are twenty days left, we have to refine and, as I always tell my classmates, We must arrive in Tokyo looking back with nothing to complain about., then it happens that races are won and lost.
Compared to 2016, do you find any similarities in the approach to the Olympic trials?
I never look back though obviously I wish everything was like it was thenThe approach is already different because five years ago I left the Giro before the end, while this year I did it all and did it well. The preparation was similar, the omnium will be different, there will be the quartet and the madison so the commitment is threefoldWe're working calmly, we see that we're growing and we're happy with the work we've done so far.
How proud does it make you to be the flag bearer for the entire Italian expedition and how much extra energy does it give you to pass on to your teammates?
So much, surely the head has another stimulusIt's a role I like, one I've dreamed of since 2016. I started believing in it and thinking about it when we got to the point of being awarded this role. I will be the flag bearer together with Jessica Rossi, a wonderful choice by CONI and president Giovanni MalagòWe can't wait, the emotions were already very strong when we went to collect the flag from President Mattarella and they will be even stronger when we enter the stadium with that flag in hand leading a record-breaking Italian team, because thanks to the splendid qualification of the men's basketball team we will be almost 390 people. It's a leading role, as an athlete who doesn't just have to look at cycling but at our entire group..
Could this role of yours help the cycling movement, even in terms of further visibility?
Absolutely yes. Cycling has brought many medals, this recognition had never existed before e I feel fortunate and privileged to represent cycling in this way.I'll carry it with me for the rest of my life, but I mustn't lose my head, because these are satisfactions that must be enjoyed but controlled. We must stay focused on the medals to be won.
Any upcoming plans before Tokyo?
I'll spend five days in Livigno, then I will run the Italian Week in Sardinia and finally all days on the track before the departure on July 21st.
The understanding grows
Consonni is standing nearby listening to Viviani and ready for his turn at the question-and-answer session.
Simone, first question for yourself too: what directions did Fiorenzuola give you?
As Elijah said, we needed a race on the track to understand where we were atWe are happy because we have done three Madisons in crescendo, the sensations have always improved despite doing double training sessions in the morning in MontichiariThe understanding is improving, this was an important step towards getting to Tokyo on the right foot.
You ride for a French team, and recently, a Frenchman you know well, Benjamin Thomas, has looked in great form. How do you see the challenge against him?
We know Benjamin well, besides being our rival he is also a friend and neighbor (He lives in the Brescia area, ed.). He will certainly be the beacon of Elia's omnium, he won the last world championships and the last races he did. Also France will be the main national team in Madison, together with Denmark and Germany.
Could it be a good thing for you to start out as an underdog?
We know we're not among the most popular couples in Madison. But sometimes, on such important dates, starting from the second line is even betterIn any case, we'll get there in the best possible way and hope everything goes well.
No one wants to go out on a limb, but what are some realistic goals for you?
As we've seen in recent years, we're really growing as a quartet. It's a specialty we've invested heavily in for over a decade. The group has become more and more consolidated and we are fighting for the most important medal We don't hide, knowing that there will be five or six nations fighting hard with us for the same goal. We want to be ready.
