Among the good news of the Sazka Tour, there was not only the victory of Lorenzo Rota, but also the excellent performance of Kevin ColleoniThe Lombard of the BikeExchange-Jayco He came in third, but what mattered most was the signal he gave and the sensations he had.
Kevin tells us he's growing, that his legs are starting to turn and that the difference compared to last year, when he was a rookie among the pros, is noticeable.
From today he will be busy in Norway, atArctic RaceLegs and morale are high. "The goal," Colleoni admits, "is to score points for the team with Groenewegen for the sprints and Schultz for the general classification. Maybe it's a little complicated for me to get a result, but we'll see day by day."
Concrete growth
Kevin was a great amateur. Maybe without the advent of Covid he would have won more and would have passed with an even more impressive list of achievements, who knows...
«Things are going well, come on… I'm preparing for this second part of the season. After the break and the preparation in Livigno, I feel like it's going well. Better than last year. I feel more mature and I saw the difference precisely in the Czech Republic."
«I'm able to be better up front, have a goal and get there ready... it's not always a given. All in all, I'm doing as expected, I haven't had any problems. And maybe I even did a little more than I expected.
«Last year, in my first year, it was tough, now, however, when we really go fast, I'm in front "easy". There are even more motivations. It's 360-degree growth."
No Vuelta
Colleoni had also taken part in the Dauphiné and usually those who compete in that race, unless they withdraw from the Giro, are diverted to the Tour. Seeing him among the starters, we hoped he would be present at the Grande Boucle.
«At the Dauphiné – says Colleoni – I went to support the team and Gronenewegen in particularAnd to tell the truth, I had also done the Dauphiné last year, but only to gain experience.
«The Tour was never in the plans, what was planned instead was the Return, but then the team changed their plans and for my first major Giro I will have to wait until next year. And I'm sorry, because I was ready and I showed it."
Not even Kevin knows the real reasons for this change of plans midway through the project. Probably there is the issue of points or maybe the choice to go with a team supporting everyone. Simon Yachts. Without vingegaard e pogacar and a Roglic given that he is not in top condition it could be a very good opportunity.
With Pinotti…
One thing is certain: Pinotti He's on his side. Marco directly supports Colleoni. This collaboration has been ongoing for a year and is growing stronger.
«I get along very well with Pinotti – says Colleoni – we talk a lot, we are neighbors and we have the opportunity to meet face to face, sometimes even on bikes. This year in Livigno, Marco was really present."
«Last year was the first season I worked with him: we didn't know each other well. I had to learn his methods... Now, however, we trust him more, We talk more and can better adjust our focus. For example, if one day something doesn't work, we unload, another day we do more. These are things that improve over time."
Climber inside
At first, we talked about Colleoni as a very strong amateur. A talent who could handle himself very well on all surfaces. Very strong on climbs, he was also good in sprints. And if he had to escape, he didn't back down.
Now, after a year of professional racing, what kind of rider is he?
«Personally – concludes Colleoni – I feel more like a climber than anything else. More into stage races, perhaps short ones or tough one-day races. So far, I've never competed in stage races longer than 10 days (the U23 Giro, ed.) or eight days among the pros, so I can't say if I'm into the Grand Tours.
"And that's also why I'm very motivated and curious to see how I can perform in a major Giro. And to do better in general."
