Among the many new developments related to the appointments on the part of the FCI of the new national technical managers there is one… halfway. In the sense that Dino Salvoldi he remains in his position as the junior starter, but expands his scope to the entire men's track sector. A well-reasoned choice, because it allows him to continue following the boys he has raised in the past two years, bringing numerous results especially on the track, but also calling him to deal with new realities.
We start right away
Salvoldi has taken his new role head on and His days are really long and full, also because his debut is just around the corner, the Nations Cup track race scheduled for next weekMeanwhile, however, the coach continues to monitor the boys, also because there is a new crop of juniors to monitor, always keeping in mind that his commitment to that category is total, including the road.
The conversation starts from an assumption: the coach, through the track, reappears in the Olympic arena he left when he was in charge of the women's overall sector: «For me it is a satisfaction that has the flavour of novelty, because I am completely changing sectorWorking with the elite represents a huge stimulus also understanding the difficulties of the role assumed by Marco Villa, which brought the Italian track to the top of the world."
Will your approach be a soft one, considering that Olympic qualifiers aren't planned for these first two years?
I wouldn't say so, but I think there's no time to waste considering we're in the midst of a generational change. There will be a lot of work to do with those guys who have just moved up a category to ensure that in a couple of years they are also ready to compete with the Olympic goal. Qualifying will not be easy at all, the competition is increasingly wider and strongerWe're waiting to see what the criteria will be, naturally considering the quartet as a primary specialty, also due to its impact on the other disciplines. But there's more to consider...
Or?
In these two years we will move forward in technical evolution but also in materials, so we must not be caught unprepared.I believe these will be two very important years for building the entire Olympic journey.
You're taking over the industry at a time of significant transition, with Ganna, Milan, and Consonni having stepped down, but leaving the door open for Los Angeles 2028. How will you approach this?
"I've actually already done so," Salvoldi emphasizes. "I spoke with them, and I think their decision to focus on the path was the right one, after having to dedicate myself almost full-time to the track for the previous four years. I've received ample assurances from them about the future, indeed." It's not a given that some of them won't be able to return to the track as early as the World Championships in October., considering that the road season will be concluded.
By following all the categories, you will also be able to continue working with those guys who achieved the world record in the junior quartet…
Yes, they've been with me for two years, we've developed a personal relationship, but they know as well as I do that now everything changes. The commitment among the under 23s is complex, they are in teams that rightly have to employ them and let them mature on the roadWe'll have to evaluate how to proceed as the process progresses. We're returning to the discussion we had earlier about developing these talents so that we have some ready for 2027. Dialogue with the teams is essential in this regard.
Villa had close relationships with all the managers of the WorldTour and Professional teams, will you do the same?
I've already started doing it, I've already had contacts who have given me a lot of confidence. I found an almost total willingness to structure the work of the various kids taking into account the different needsI must say that the responses I've received have even exceeded my expectations. Now it's important for the kids themselves to properly immerse themselves in this new reality.
Will you continue with the juniors along the lines of the work done in the previous four years, having them work in both disciplines?
Certainly, by involving a large group, taking them abroad to compete when possible to give them experienceHaving so much work ahead doesn't scare me because I think it's a good thing to be able to work with these kids over several years of activity in a very sensitive segment. Furthermore, this is how Agesprint seeks out talent, which Italian cycling desperately needs.
