"Talking about the Olympics? It's always wonderful for me, it's the victory I remember with the most fondness, so much so that in August I'll be returning to Greece to celebrate my twentieth anniversary since winning gold in Athens with a cycling adventure." The topic of the five rings always tickles Paolo. betti, who lived the five-ring experience both as a rider and as a technical commissioner and he does not hold back in outlining what awaits us.
When Bettini competed in the Olympic trials, in 2000-2004 and 2008, the Italian team was composed of 5 elements: «But it's not like you can control the race with 5 players. "You couldn't then, and even less so now, when national teams can only have four at most, and we're not among them. Back then, the course was slightly shorter, 225-230 kilometers compared to today's 270. It's normal that, at the Olympics, even more than in other major events, those unwritten bonds are sparked, dependent on the club you belong to but also on shared interests, because—it should never be forgotten—at the Games, three people win, not just one."
What should be done then in such a sui generis competition?
If you can't control it, you have to look for ways to save energy. I remember when we ran in London it was me and rebellin the tips and I had the task of marking Valverde. You choose the men you want to run over or you try to send some of your own men on the run. so as not to have to shoot. But we're talking about games that had five men and in which collaboration was sought. Now, with four, it's practically impossible.
We'll even have 3…
The work of Welcome It's very difficult, I know it well, yet paradoxically in this case it's easier. Let me explain: the criteria that apply to the World Cup or European Championships don't apply. There are completely different logics. First of all, because You have to choose the group from which to draw a long time in advance, at the beginning of the year to have the boys undergo medical checks and to present the report to the Federation which will have to forward it to the Cones. This is what directs.
How do you judge then the voices that want Viviani in the trio to guarantee him a place in the track delegation?
It's a choice that falls precisely within those unusual rules. Let me give you an absurd example: Bennati can call up Bettini and Paolini, but the two don't get along (we're actually very good friends, but that's just to clarify). The coach decides to focus on one of the two: he could do this if it were a world championship, but the most medal-worthy men must go to the Games regardless.This is why I say that Bennati's work is simpler in some ways, because certain choices are constrained.
Don't you think it's a bit of a sad situation?
We are paying for the difficult moment that Italian cycling is experiencing, It is right in some ways to think about other specialties where there are concrete possibilitiesViviani has good cards to play on the track, Bennati must select a second man thinking about the time trial to be paired with Ganna, in effect, he has only one rider left. These are arguments that many fans, the "keyboard cittì," don't know, but when talking about, criticizing the cittì, it should be remembered...
This year's Olympic race, however, promises to be a little different from previous editions, in the sense that the starting line will feature riders who aren't afraid to compete in a "man-to-man" race...
It is true, At the start there will be riders who are so strong that they can run the race on their own, and will seek the solution of strength even 80 kilometers from the finish line.We set out apparently without great ambitions, almost to make up the numbers.
Why do you say “apparently”?
Because I have an idea and it is linked to the name of Alberto BettiolHe is certainly the most structured Italian rider to face a race like this and if he gets the day right, physically and mentally, he could even be one of those who, 80 kilometers from the finish line, if and when the race explodes, he is there to play his cards. The difference with the Van der Poel e pogacar (without forgetting those who are still in the infirmary due to falls, the rest of the "magnificent six") is that they are always in the condition to run in that manner, for the Tuscan a series of circumstances need to coincide, there needs to be almost a favorable astral conjunction...
