No sooner had I returned home from the transatlantic trip than Edoardo Zambanini he found the call-up for the World Cup waiting for him, no small feat for a twenty-three-year-old, and with it interviews, spotlights on him, and a lot of anticipation. This is also due to the placings achieved in the double Canadian stage of the WorldTour and in general to a season lived increasingly as a protagonist.
In Canada, the change of pace of the Riva del Garda rider was clearly perceived, no longer a simple gregarious Bahrain Victorious, but a rider on whom the team is also starting to rely as a finisherZambanini was particularly keen on the two American races and it showed.
«These are two tests that I particularly like – he says – I had already been there last year but I had bronchitis and I didn't enjoy it to the fullest.This is also why the team and I decided to include them. It was a beautiful experience, which I carry in my heart and which confirmed to me how I am increasingly suited to one-day races too.. An away trip that I really enjoyed also because we had a really good group, where we worked hard but above all had fun."
A trip experienced with different roles than usual...
The team actually placed their trust in me, and for that I can only be grateful. I left for Canada directly from Tour of Britain where I had achieved very good results, including a podium and on the basis of that the team decided to give me responsibilitiesIt's truly wonderful to see your teammates running for you, helping you stay at the front of the pack. It's a commitment that involves both duty and the desire to repay so much effort.
How do you feel about being the one managing the team?
I have to take our measure… For the first two years at Bahrain I did my apprenticeship as it was right, I raced for others learning and sacrificing myself, now I see that the confidence in me is growingBefore the race, the tasks were established in the meeting and it was not without surprise that I learned that for the GP du Quebec I would be the leader together with MohoricThe race was strange with Bilbao who was supposed to give him the sprint, but he realized he had someone behind him pogacar and so they preferred to give up, I had followed another path.
And in Montreal?
I had a free role. There the finishers had to be Buitrago and Bilbao, but the former soon missed the right train. So in the final, Pello and I took turns attacking, then when Pogacar left, Bilbao managed to break away from the pack and take a nice second place, while I sprinted through the pack and took my second consecutive top 10.
Two top-10 finishes in two WorldTour classics within 48 hours of each other are no small feat…
In fact I am very satisfied, I knew I was in good shape but bringing home a result is never a given. Also because they were two very high-level races, with the participation of great riders, which increases the value of my placings.
Between the two races, which one do you like more?
Maybe the Montreal one, because it's the last race of their career and it's more popular. On the circuit, you race practically surrounded by people; it's an intoxicating atmosphere. You can see they really care; it's not often you see races with such a following. They often end in sprints, but they're both very close, and then... This year the UAE imposed a strict control, in Quebec City the race became more chaotic, in Montreal Tadej imposed his law.
Do you still prioritize stage races in your scale of values, or have you changed your mind?
Stage races are always my favourite because I have uncommon endurance and recovery skills, as was also seen at the Tour of Britain. This year, however, I'm also doing well in the one-day classics and I think this is because I trained without any problems in the winter and I've had a linear season so far, Unlike the previous two, where there were always health problems, I'm evolving. For example, I used to only use my fast-twitch fibers, but I've worked hard on the climbs, and now the two balance each other out, as they should if you want to stand out.
The team trusts you, as you said. You're no longer one of the many Italians who've joined a WorldTour team to work for others. Has that ever made you uncomfortable, especially seeing others, all foreigners, fighting for the top spots when the race gets going?
I know there's a lot of talk about Italians being marginalized, and we discuss this in the group, too, but those who are older than me say that the general standard has risen. With the same wattage, just a couple of years ago you were winning, today you struggle to place.We need to take this into account. I'm earning the team's trust, I'm taking the risks that entails, I know I have to deliver results, but what matters is that we have a good rapport with the others; the rest will follow.
How does being in the national team feel?
It's a great responsibility and honor, a reward for the efforts I've made and the progress I mentioned earlier. What I enjoy most is coming into a group where everyone is challenged, running together, and bonding with those who until yesterday were opponents. Cohesion is essential; I believe it's the first ingredient for achieving results, and I'm confident this cohesion will be present in the Italian group.
What would make you come back from Zurich satisfied?
Let's say I'd like to have a race to remember with a smile, finish it on a high, and do my part. I'm not talking about results, I just want to go home happy with what I've done.
