Cycling is slowly starting up again: first rides, a few mini training camps, site inspections, and gym workouts. Even Alessandro De Marchi has got back on track and is looking to 2024, taking inspiration from last seasonWe intercept him while he's on the street, on his way to the physiotherapist. "Actually," he says, "you never stop. It's true that I stopped for four weeks, but the 'cyclist's callus' never goes away."
10.000 kilometers
Among the many numbers accumulated by the "Rosso di Buja" what is most impressive is the one relating to the kilometers in the race: 10.448.
"They'd already pointed this out to me," he admits, "and I have to say there were quite a few. Although, to be honest, in hindsight, I'd divide them into two periods. The first part of the season went very wellIf I look back to June, I'm pretty happy. From then on, I missed a few things. I had a lot of races planned for September, but I arrived with a shaky condition.In hindsight, I would have changed a few things. For example, I would have included a few more races in August, which was planned, but an illness prevented me from running the Arctic Race of Norway. Getting sick makes you lose your rhythm and in cycling today that's not a good thing».
Wasn't training enough?
I'm used to doing periods of training at home, even at high intensity, which is often done with cycling these days. But this year I would have preferred to take a step towards old-fashioned cycling.The July break made me regress too much. It would have been better to shorten it.
One way to take steps towards your second year in Jayco-AlUla, given the renewal…
I have to be honest, the renewal was a certainty since the contract was signed in November last year. I didn't sign a two-year contract because the offer arrived late and the team had some doubts about the various renewals.But at the Giro I already had my second year here under my belt.
How was this first year on the Australian team?
As I expected and as I perceived it. From the very beginning the team made me responsible by giving me the fair value. This means a lot, seeing your merits recognized is important for a rider.
The Giro d'Italia should be included in the first, positive part of 2023, right?
I'm back to where I was before 2022. That was a strange season and I was in danger of making that my standard. Instead, thanks to Jayco I found my best performances and just being able to play two stages at the Line of Business It allowed me to show what I can do. With the right environment around me, I got back to my level, and for that, thanks go to Jayco and CopelandI have another fond memory of 2023…
Tell us.
Another nice memory of 2023 was the Tour of Slovenia won by “Pippo” (Zana, editor's note). We dominated as a team every day, taking control of the race and without fear.Zana deserved that victory and I'm happy it went to him, a young man.
In 2023, did you also return to gravel racing, a discipline that has now won you over?
I already wanted to run my first world championship, the one in Cittadella, in 2022. I was happy to be back running this event (the World Cup, ed.) this year too, considering it was still in Italy. The European Championships in Belgium It also made me discover another way of living and seeing this disciplineIn agreement with the team, I will try to return to racing in this discipline that is attractive to many, just look at Mohoric. Plus, gravel allowed me to ride alongside my cousin Mattia, another fact that made me happy.
2024 which will see the arrival of another young man, From Pretto, have you already met him?
Yes, he roomed with me during training camp in January 2023. We spent a good week together, he is a quiet boy and he also seemed shy to me, but it was normal given the very large context. The most important thing I perceived is that he seems like someone who is eager to listen and learn.Jayco is the right environment for a young person, where the rider is never abandoned. You will have the opportunity to work with Pinotti a very important figure is that he will surely appreciate, even as he progresses with his career. In my opinion, it's hard to find someone like him.
It also comes Valerio Piva...
When I heard about Valerio, I was the happiest person on the team. I worked with him for six years (four at BMC and two at CCC, ed.). I'm sure it will give a big boost and a great stimulus to the team, both from an organizational point of view but also in terms of racing.
