The 2022 season is practically in full swing, even though it's only February, even though the WorldTour hasn't even started yet. Yet, if you look at the finish lines, and especially the winners, it's startling: Nairo Quintana, Alexander Valverde, Filippo Gana, Tim Wells, Remco Evenepoel, Alexey Lutsenko, David Gaudu… not counting the sprinters from Fabio Jacobsen e Dylan Groenenwegen maximum Mark CavendishBut for this last category it is more “normal”.
With a few exceptions, the first races of the year were dominated by domestiques, second-tier athletes, and perhaps rookies who started strong, taking advantage of the fact that the big names were still "clogged up." Something curious. And we're talking about it with Alessandro Ballan. With the 2008 world champion, we're doing a real opinion piece on this first glimpse of the season... And a little about what's to come.
Nairo Quintana wins on Montagne de la Lure and thus opens his 13th season as a pro Ganna has already won two times, both in time trials: in Besseges and at the Tour de la Provence (pictured) First day of racing in 2022 and first victory for Evenepoel at the Valenciana 
Trofeo Pollenca – Port D'Andratx 2022: Alejandro Valverde never ceases to amaze.
Nairo Quintana wins on Montagne de la Lure and thus opens his 13th season as a pro Ganna has already won two times, both in time trials: in Besseges and at the Tour de la Provence (pictured) First day of racing in 2022 and first victory for Evenepoel at the Valenciana 
Trofeo Pollenca – Port D'Andratx 2022: Alejandro Valverde never ceases to amaze.
Alessandro, we've listed some impressive names... Why do you think there were winners of such caliber?
The season has indeed started off great. In modern cycling, it seems, there's no time to waste: Well begun is half done. Those who start slowly end up struggling, while those who start on the right foot tend to have an excellent season.
But isn't there a risk of getting into condition too soon?
Partly yes, but starting well, winning, also means be aware that you have worked well during the winter. And then your morale is high, and that gives you peace of mind for the races to come. If you start too slowly, however, you risk finding yourself constantly chasing, always starting from a disadvantage.
And let's get back to the point that's come up several times in recent months: you go to the races prepared...
It's the new way of racing. In my day, you could show up not fully fit. You'd find it race by race. That's because there were times when you went slowly and times when you went fast and suffered. Today, however, you always go fast. And suffering always does more harm than good. Cyclists know they have to be ready to go.
Alessandro, you talked about your times: when did the wind change?
I think it's been my age. That's when the trainers arrived. The staff today is all extremely organized. There's a coach, a nutritionist, a chef... There were schedules in my day too, it's true, but you weren't 100% supervised. Now when you press stop on your computer on the way home, the coach knows what you've done instantly. And it not only sees how much you've done, but also how you've done it. It notices if you've been sitting at the bar for an hour and a half! It evaluates your improvements in real time. Once upon a time, in the first races, out of 200 riders who started, 40 were competitive; now it's 140. And this forces everyone to be ready.
Coming to the names we have listed, who surprised you?
Valverde was surprised, but in quotation marks, Even though he's only a year younger than me. It's well known that the older you get, the harder it is to get into shape, but he always manages it. He has incredible determination. And then I have to say that Evenepoel impressed me. Remco really showed his strength. They were the ones who surprised me the most. And the other big names are missing: Van Aert, Alaphilippe, Van der Poel…
Van Aert and Van der Poel have yet to start, while Alaphilippe has already restarted but has not yet won (although he came close)…
Let's talk about three phenomena, and they somehow stand out from normal people. In Alaphilippe's case, I think he didn't win for a combination of reasons. He's focused on his preparation for the second part of the classics, so to be at his best at the end of April, he'll be at the top. Tour de France with the rainbow jersey, plus he's on a team with so many strong riders that he can feel a little more relaxed at this stage of the season.
And who do you think was “missing”?
Well, I don't think anyone, at least not considering the races we've attended. If there had already been a Strade Bianche, a slightly more important race for specialists, and a few protagonists had been missing, we could have named a few. But for now, I'd wait. I'm actually very happy with our "new" Italians. I'm thinking about... Masnada, Covi, Lonardi, Mareczko…
What do you think instead of theArkea-Samsic Who seems to have given up on the Giro d'Italia? It would have been a golden opportunity for Quintana...
I agree, it would have been a great opportunity. The problem is that the Tour is increasingly important and the sponsors prefer that a "th" is achieved there, rather than a podium at the Giro d'Italia. Unfortunately there is little to say.
Damiano Caruso will also be diverted to France. And Sonny Colbrelli himself...
I expect a lot from ColbrelliHe comes from an amazing season and it's not easy to confirm it, plus he's 32 years old, it's not so obvious to find the right condition, but Sonny has found awareness, the one with a capital "C", and he found it not only for the victory at Roubaix, but for his 2021 as a whole. And I would say that the same can be said for CarusoLast year Damiano had a great opportunity and he took advantage of it. I'm sad to hear he has to be a domestique elsewhere.
What about stage races? The "post-Nibali" scenario isn't very promising, at least for now. We have good riders, but looking ahead...
Fortunato, ciccone... They're good names, but they're a little smaller for now. They're starting out with a placement. I'd also add Gang. He, not having a great captain in Quick Step- Alphavinyl he could do very well at the Giro. He could achieve a great placement. I'm curious to see it. In Italy, Vincenzo's heir was Aru, but he finished his career first. Now we will realize how much we will miss him Nibali!
Does Alessandro Covi resemble Alessandro Ballan a bit?
In terms of structure, yes, he's a little more "muscular" than me. He's got a flair and is a really interesting man. Plus, he plays for a big team. He has a close friend... Trentino which can help him grow in a short time. Soon we will also see him win big. The problem of Italian riders, taking away Bettiol and Colbrelli, is that We don't have any truly competitive people over 200 kilometers. When you get past them and reach 240 kilometers, the Italians disappear.
In fact, they can be counted on the fingers of one hand or even fewer…
In the end, I won very few races in my career—13—but almost all of them were over 200 kilometers. Not because Ballan was improving, but because he was decreasing less than the others. I was able to perform as I had done after only 100 kilometers.
So, are we waiting for Covi and Bagioli?
Surely they will do well, but There's a big difference between here and winning the big classics.
