The World Track Championships in Santiago, Chile, brought the excitement and joy of seeing Elia Viviani once again a protagonist on the parquet. One last time for the "Prophet", who has left the team that he has built over the years together with Marco VillaClosing a circle with the rainbow jersey in the elimination is something unique and incredible, as said by the same Viviani at the end of the race.
The Veronese athlete knew how to sow and nurture that seedling on the track, which has now become a plant capable of bearing fruit full of talent and a desire to follow in Viviani's footsteps. Among these are two boys who shared the last race of the Italian track cyclist with the national team: David Star e Juan David SierraThis is the pair who raced in the Madison in Santiago, Chile. The two young men, both at their first world track title among the elite, held their own and understood what it means to race among the greats.
Endurance and speed
Davide Stella answers while he is in Istanbul, heading to Singapore. There he will race two road criteriums and conclude his first season as an under 23.A world tour in less than a week, considering that the national team returned from Chile last Tuesday, October 28th.
«This world championship – says Stella – was a great experience, in the scratch I didn't run as well as I would have liked. While in Madison the sensations were good, my partner Sierra was also fine, but the level among the elite is completely different. We tried and it was difficult to do more than that., a tenth place which is certainly a good starting point.
«The one in Santiago de Chile – he continues – It was the fastest Madison in history, run at an average speed of 60.6 kilometers per hour.An intense but useful baptism to understand many things, going from the 120 laps of the youth trials to the 200 of the elite race is quite a leap. The management of the tactics is different, you go on the attack with the aim of gaining the lead lap. On one occasion we even succeeded, so we brought home our satisfactions."
The Prophet's approach
For two athletes making their first experiences in elite track racing, having a figure like Viviani alongside them was important. Elijah has never denied a helping hand or advice, even if something is already known.
«Viviani was one of us – says Stella – of the group, he acted as a guide and advisor. He has always been my idol and having him close to me was something incredible., it was quite an experience talking to him. I talked to him a lot, especially about the elimination. He told me how he manages the warm-up and how he divides the test, I realized that I was already doing something like thatFor the rest, I took mental notes, especially regarding race management. I can't tell you what he told me, it's the advice of a world champion.».
Sierra's Experience
Juan David Sierra, instead, is at his home, in Rho on the outskirts of Milan. The season is over and now he's at home resting and helping out with his family.A little sister is coming in a few days, and there's so much to do besides just enjoy the moment.
"The Federation It gave us a great opportunity – Sierra analyses – because it's not every day that you race in a world championship on the track without external pressure, but only to gain experience and try to do the best possible. I ran in two Olympic events: omnium and madisonI could have done a little better in the first one, but these are races that teach you a lot. Stella is right about the Madison. The level was very high and we did really well. Furthermore, our couple was by far the youngest in the competition., considering that I am 20 years old and Stella is 19 years old respectively.
Following Viviani's lead
Sierra's journey with Viviani was longer, considering that the two also shared the parquet just a few weeks before the World Cup.
“We spent a lot of time with Viviani,” Sierra says, “in Montichiari, where he gave us tons of advice. I was also lucky enough to be in the same room with Lamon in Chile.I asked him a lot of questions, especially about the Olympics. How do you prepare for an event like this, how do you manage it, and above all, what it feels like to win a gold medal."
«When you look at Viviani up close – Sierra continues – you understand that he is not a champion by chance. He is very meticulous about materials, so much so that I told him to stay in the national team and come to the track to give us a hand. I don't know many aspects and he can be an extremely useful figure for our group».
«Furthermore – he concludes – I also had the opportunity to race a Madison, about ten days before the World Championships, together with Viviani in GrenchenIt was incredible. I asked him a lot of technical questions, about changes, about how to throw your partner and throw yourself, about positioning. I told you it has to stay in the loop, has too much to teach!».
