Il UAE Team Emirates called Filippo Baroncini at the last minute to race at the Giro dell'Emilia. So he found himself having to answer the team's call. and rushed to the hotel where the Emiratis are staying.
«I was one of the reserves – he explains after the afternoon full of events due to the last minute call-up – but Ayuso is not very well so it's my turnI was supposed to leave today to go to the Coppa Agostoni and then to the Bernocchi, but instead I'm here at Emilia, but it's okay anyway. After the victory I feel great, my morale is really high, let's say I'm hungry and I want to try to find another success between now and the end of the year. The races to look forward to are La Bernocchi and the Gran Piemonte, so full steam ahead».
Three years later
On September 21st the rider from Massa Lombarda won his first race as a professional: the Super 8 Classic, in BelgiumThree years had passed since his last victory, also in Belgium but in Leuven. A success that earned him the world title among the under 23s. From that moment on the career of Barons It wasn't as easy as one would have expected, but it was full of injuries. It took him just over 10.000 kilometers to get the first success in the jersey UAE Emirates.
«The big step this year – says Baroncini – was being supported in a super professional manner by a valid team of trainers and nutritionists. In general the team follows me with great attention and with the care of a familyI think the major change came thanks to Gorka, the team's nutritionist. He sends us weekly tables based on training and calorie consumption. Ultimately this is a fundamental part, as it provides us with the energy to stay strong and maintain a constant weight. As for the kilometers I'd run, I was aware I'd accumulated a lot, but not 10.000. I asked the team to let me race a lot, I'm someone who needs it to find the right condition."
What was the focus of the season at the beginning of the year?
Finding myself and finding the result. I felt the need and the fact that I have put my first Grand Tour behind me has given me a big handI came out of the Vuelta very well, I noticed it in the final stopwatch and in the following days.
Did you improve much in the Spanish race?
I felt like I'd made a big step forward, but I didn't expect it to be this big. In recent years, due to injuries, I have never felt fitter than when I was under 23 and in super conditionLet's say I expected the victory in Belgium, from the Vuelta but also from Pantani.
You were so close, how did you feel?
They only caught me in the last 500 meters. The greatest feeling, however, has always been the awareness of being well.In the end, you can't be sad when they catch you in the final meters after a 70-kilometer breakaway. Of course, I was disappointed. But my morale remained high.
A few days later, victory finally came in Belgium.
A huge relief, all the bad moments passed through my head and went away. I am an athlete who always runs to winIn the last 4 kilometers, I remember realizing what was about to happen, and I enjoyed it all. I shed a few tears after the finish line, out of joy and anger over the past few years. All day I tried to attack, to go away on my own but I couldn't.I realized I had a great deal of competitive anger.
What did you understand?
That I can make even professionals suffer and that I can have fun.
A success that will help us find the right confidence and motivation to have a good winter.
Of course. Now there are the end-of-year races and I want to try to replicate that. But the victory in Belgium will help me. in spending a winter 100 percent focused on being an athlete and starting again strong.
