The last Italian of this reconnaissance in the men's speed sector is called Stefano Minuta and judging by the jokes he… endures, he has become the mascot of the groupBut then when it comes to working, his effort and commitment are worth as much as anyone else's.
The next obstacle to overcome is the mentality of the teams. So if on the one hand the Campana Imballaggi and the Colpack Team have chosen to believe in the project by supporting the kids of Forty, Minuta is still looking for a shirt for 2023Given its level, one hopes that a solution will be found, but the situation suggests that the old difficulties have subsided, but not entirely resolved.
Turinese, 18 years old
Minuta comes from Turin, has Romanian origins and turned 18 in June. In the same Pilone velodrome in Noto where we met him, at the junior national championships in June he had won the speed title, the silver in the team sprint and the bronze in the kilometer, won by Predomo. He subsequently took home bronze in the keirin (also won by Predomo) and in the team sprint to the Europeans in Anadia.
«Now we are finally a good group – he says smiling – we all passed under 23 and we will be, I hope, a close-knit group that will want to win and do better than last yearWe really want to achieve good results."
What didn't you like about 2022?
It wasn't a bad year for a first as a sprinter, let's just say it was the icing on the cake of the season. Improving would mean raising the bar, therefore going above the podium, second or first place., but it all remains to be seen. We're certainly focused and want to achieve those results.
Why be a sprinter on the track and not on the road?
It was born all last year. During a road race I had an accident in which I broke a bone in my hand. and so I had to stay still for a month without being able to go out. I continued to train, though. I didn't have the pace to go back to road racingSo I came to take part in the Italian track championships and I managed to win the Italian championship in speed, I achieved two more placings in the team with Piemonte and from there Quaranta asked me to go and try with them for the Olympic speed on the trackThis is why I decided to be part of the project and took this path.
Was the track new?
No, I have it always done since I was very youngThe difference from before is that this year I decided to dedicate myself solely to the track.
Are you missing the road?
In some respects, yes. But let's say that since there is a lot of climbing, it's not for me.I don't like climbing, so I prefer the track.
How much harder is it to be a sprinter on the track?
It's quite hard, considering that anyway for the preparation you have to leave very earlyYou should focus especially on the gym. At the same time, you must not make the mistake of making too much of it, because then you will have difficulty transforming it by bikeYou have to do things the right way, you can't go too far wrong.
Were you born here or in Romania?
I'm of Romanian origin, my mother and father are from there. Two years ago I obtained Italian citizenship, so be able to participate in the Italian championships and go to the national teamI was born here, lived in Romania for the first few years, learned the language, and then came back.
A goal for 2023?
It would certainly be participate in an elite European championship or a World Cup to try to score points for the 2024 Olympics, but it all remains to be seen.
What is your home track?
In Turin, the Francone Velodrome. It's the track I've been going to since I was very young, since I was G4 and I've always trained there. I did my first races there, but since last year the reference track has obviously become Montichiari with the national team.
