Not just the FCI is going towards the elections but also the uecThe (only) candidate is Italian, Henry Of The House, already in the organizational chart of the European confederation. And for this reason, on March 6th in Odense, Denmark, he will be elected president.The director of his program does not deviate too much from the work begun several years ago: developing cycling in Europe.
We'd even considered Della Casa as a candidate for the FCI some time ago, but he replied that he already had a lot to do in Europe. Apparently, he kept his word!
Della Casa, how did the idea for this candidacy come about?
She was born two years ago. Rocco Cattaneo (current president, ed.) has increasing commitments in the Swiss Parliament and has large companies in Ticino, so he was now too busy to carry forward the UEC projects.
And what are these projects?
Develop cycling throughout Europe. As we actually started to do in 2013 with the "new" UEC together with David Lappartient. We worked on everything: from the logo to technical initiatives, such as the inclusion of elite cyclocross riders in 2015, the creation of the European championships for elite riders… And we continue with the creation of the European Cross Cup in 2021 and the MTB Cup in 2022. We are placing a lot of importance on the off-road sector.
Why this attention to the off-road world?
It's a sector in turmoil, I believe first and foremost for a question of road safety and because All kids have a bike and that bike is a mountain bike, even in the least developed cycling nations. I'm thinking of Bosnia, Albania, Serbia... where the landscapes are ideal for off-road cycling. Of course, we're not forgetting the other disciplines. However, I would say that out of 50 affiliated federations, 30 focus on off-road cycling as a starting point. I'm thinking of Andorra, for example, which is basically all about mountain biking. We also organize continental events and seek out premium locations. Next year the European MTB Championships will be held in the Novi Sad fortress in Serbia. Scenarios like this offer enormous possibilities.
Given the cycling weight of the Old Continent: how much influence does the UEC have? on the UCI?
More than weight, we have a lot of activity: 80 percent takes place in Europe. We try to share our proposals with other confederations, and they often see us as an example. If anything, we have influence in the various commissions where we can implement our ideas. For example, we created the U23 women's category in cross-country, and the UCI followed suit. In some ways, we're also a laboratory for the UCI. We're looking for new solutions.
What is the most common request you get?
To find a good timing for our events, especially in relation to the WorldTour races, to avoid clashes and overlaps. Ultimately, we ourselves are event organizers. Together with the UCI and the major federations, we try to find the right time slots, and this is a problem that especially affects road cycling, which is packed with races. MTB and cross-country cycling somehow have larger spaces that are easier to manage.
He will be happy with his mandate if…
If we can develop cycling from Scandinavia to the Balkans, from Portugal to Romania. How? By staying close to the organizers, participating with the Federations. I talk a lot with my interlocutors, seeking direct dialogue beyond emails and letters. Aside from the big organizers, you see Aso o Rcs, most of them do it out of passion, they are volunteers and deserve our support. The European Cup's goal is to give these organizers visibility. Just helping them with communication is no small feat, and relaunching them on social media... It's something that costs nothing, but it doesn't leave them abandoned for the remaining 364 days after the race day. And maybe a year later we'll come knocking again to ask for the race fee. We provide technical support, we offer advice. For example, we pay the photographer so he can distribute the images free of charge to the organizer and anyone who requests them.
In fact, there aren't just the Sanremo, the Roubaix, the Giro and the Tour…
Exactly, the fabric is made by many smaller races, the ones that allow teams to run and do activities. In this sense I must say that By Rocco, this year especially, has done a lot to help these organizers.
