More Jonathan Milan in our conversations. A talent like this can't be held still, even "on paper," in this case, on the screens of our devices. The last time We asked Milan what other parquet specialty he would like to do.
The Friulian of the Bahrain Victorious but he had been very realistic. Besides the fact that he had reiterated that the pursuit, individual and team, were not to be touched, he had emphasized that for every other discipline a certain amount of experience was required.
A word from Martinello
We have called into question Silvio Martinello, a great former track athlete with a technical and well-prepared eye. And we started from the question of "another specialty in perspective Paris 2024”, especially since Marco Villa, by virtue of the new regulations, will be able to field five athletes in Paris instead of six.
"If we talk about Olympic-style slots," says Martinello, "in addition to the untouchable team pursuit, we're talking about omnium and madison. The omnium has been discarded as too expensive, leaving the madison.
«And I say right away that for me Jonathan has the quality to run the "American" Exactly. He has the quick start needed for that test. It's clear, however, that experience in a similar specialty is crucial."
«It is fundamental not only for the technical gesture of the change, But also for the ability to be in the right place at the right time and launch a teammate in the best possible way. And to do that, you need a lot of experience."
Madison's dream…
Experience is therefore the key word. Milan said it, and Martinello reiterates it.
«Of course – Silvio continues – You can practice the transition. You stand behind Derny and every time you meet your teammate along the track, you give him the change. By repeatedly repeating the gesture. But it's one thing to do it alone, and another to do it in a race with 15 other teams.
«So you need experience and this can only be acquired by racing. By doing the Six Days. And I see that they don't do them, even Villa knows this given the many commitments, and for this reason for Paris I think it's a little late».
Martinello adds that in this specialty Italy can make a real leap in quality given the performers it has. And he names Viviani, agree, Ganna...
«But I don't know the plans of Villa, nor the boy. Because let's not forget that Milan can be very strong on the road too. But let's try to think of a Madison Ganna-Milan...".
Martinello pulls the real rabbit out of the hat: such a couple would be monstrous in terms of power. They might not be as agile as a duo with a lower center of gravity and shorter levers, so they might be a little slower on the gear changes, but once they get going… Not to mention the hunt for the ride. Go get two like that!
All scratch
Madison's choice was made in relation to the Olympics, where the track program is severely limited. But if Martinello had carte blanche with Milan, what other specialty would he be suited to? Even in this case the former Venetian pro has no doubts: the scratch.
"Someone like Milan," says Martinello, "can do well in any discipline, but if I had to choose, and I'd also do so based on the disciplines I like best, I'd say scratch.
«Jonathan has the technical and physical characteristics needed for this specialty: he is fast, has a lot of power and is resistant. Of course, I don't know his eye for detail, because we've always seen him at work in performance-based specialties and not situational ones, but with the engine he has, he would be capable of scoring a victory."
