Last week Gianmarco Garfoli he made an important step forward in his career. He took part and completed the Criterium of Dauphiné, According to many, it is the fastest and toughest race of the entire year. It is here that many leaders do their rehearsals in preparation for the Tour de France and just as many have to earn a place in the team for the Grande Boucle.
And then there are those, like the Marche native of theAstana-Qazaqstan, goes to the Dauphiné to see where he stands, to start competing with the big boys and taking part in top-level races. The final standings read: 75th, 1 hour and 19 minutes behind Vingegaard. But only in the final stage did "Garo" gain half an hour.
Gianmarco, you just got back from the Dauphiné: you're starting to do some really great races...
Yes, I think it's one of the most important races in the world. The level is very high, on par with the Tour de France. For me it was my first experience in competitions of this level and I'm quite happy.In some ways, it was even an achievement to complete it.
And how did it go?
Unfortunately it didn't start in the best way because I fell twice, in the first and third stage. And Those falls had a somewhat negative impact on the entire Dauphiné race: I felt the blows and one of my ribs still hurts.
Yet in the first few stages you did well. You were near the front of the race…
On the first stage, I fell on the descent. It was hailing. There was a moment when there was really a lot of rain coming down and you couldn't see the road. You think I fell on a straight piece. I don't even know how I did it. That was the hardest blow: we were going at absurd speeds. The third stage was for sprinters, but we went so fast that there were few sprinters left and Since I'm a "quick rider" I tried to throw myself into the fray to get a placing. Unfortunately I crashed in the last kilometer when I was in the top 15.
What do you think of this Dauphiné then?
It was great to compete with the best in the world. Now I have some points of reference. I know where I need to work to improve. I'm returning home with a lot of experience and a lot of motivation to do more. The stage where I was a little stronger was the one that saw Vingegaard's first victory. On the final climb, I didn't lose much of a lead and crossed the finish line in around fiftieth place, a couple of minutes behind. I was satisfied with my performance.
You said you know how to work. What do you mean?
Above all, I understood the level there is and where I have to get to, because until they tell you, you can only imagine. And honestly, I imagined they'd go a little slower! Instead, they're going fast, very fast. Now I understand a lot. Maybe it's my young age, but certain things I have to experience firsthand. Already in Romandie I had seen that the WorldTour level was completely different from the other professional races. At Dauphiné I saw and experienced a further step.
So what do you need to improve on?
Uphill, because that's where the difference is made, and also in race tactics. Or at least in managing your effort. In a lower-level race, you can afford to make mistakes, to overrev when you don't need to: somehow, you manage to save yourself. Not here. In the last stage, I overrevved to try to join the breakaway, but then I was completely finished. I broke away from the group! A hundred riders. And I said to myself, "Damn, how am I going to get to the finish line now?"
Is this one of the experiences you were talking about?
Exactly, I learned to know myself better, to manage myself in these situations. Logically, it's not enough and I have to improve my general level a lot, But just by doing this race, I think I've grown. I've made progress.
Now Gianmarco, you have a more concrete goal: you know where you have to get to. You know how far you have to go. It's not about having to go fast regardless... It's different.
It's very different, I know how much is missing and how to work on it. I know I have the potential to have a great career and I want to invest in it. I repeat, it was a positive first experience, even if at times during the race I got a little demoralized precisely because I was going so fast.
You found yourself with a regal audience. Did you happen to be standing near Vingegaard and notice that you were busy and he hadn't even started to open the throttle yet?
Actually the most impressive thing wasn't so much Vingegaard, But the fact that absolutely everyone is going fast. You say the sprinter goes slowly uphill... not even close! You're going full throttle up a hill, then you turn around and see that no one has left. This is impressive. Then it is clear that seeing the Jumbo Visma Dominating has a certain effect. I didn't feel out of place, in fact... That was my place. I'm twenty years old, I have a lot of improvement to make, but that's where I want to be.
And how are you? We've seen that you're thinner, but we're guessing you're not at your best yet...
Ninth… I'm not at my best yet. The year off has taken its toll. I came back and did well, but that "hole" is making itself felt now, especially when you start doing this type of race. You can't afford not to be 100 percent. I'm not feeling bad, otherwise I wouldn't have even finished the Dauphiné. Since Sicily, however, I've made some progress, and also the work on Teide with Lutsenko it was helpful.
Now what is the goal?
Not so much being at the top for this or that race and then maybe giving up or getting exhausted and getting sick, but managing to finish a season well. Without a hitch. Racing and putting miles into my legs.
It's understandable in your case: more consistency than performance.
That's exactly what I'm missing. I feel it in my legs. Between Covid at the beginning of the year, myocarditis last season... I can feel it. I need consistency and perseverance for the longer races, maybe even the 21-day ones, which I want to be present in my future.In the meantime, I'll be studying Italian and then I should go to Livigno at high altitude to prepare for the next events. The end of the season could bring me some important races.
Idea Vuelta?
It is not to be discarded. We'll see with the team if this possibility will exist.
