Francesco Chicchi he returns to the team car and at the same time also looks out from the cyclocross ribbons. The warm autumn of 2023 brought big news for the former Tuscan sprinter. The watchword for Francesco is in fact sporting director. Diesse of the #inEmiliaRomagna and the young boys of the Michele Bartoli Academy in cyclocross.
And it was in this context that we met Francesco. In Follonica, on the occasion of the fourth stage of the Giro d'Italia Cyclocross, the Tuscan shuttled between their stand and the ribbons of the competition field.
Bartoli's call
A sprinter in cyclocross is a strange thing. "Michele called me," Chicchi says, "and I couldn't say no. I have a special relationship with the Bartoli family, even with Mauro and with the same with Roberto CecchiThere was a desire to return to work with the kids.
«We are not here to win at all costs, but to to give a line of behavior. In the meeting just now (they were all gathered together and the tone was serious, ed.) we were reprimanding them. Reprimanding them on their commitment and seriousness.
"For example, Last time, some people had forgotten their helmets in the van, some had shown up wearing long shirts... It's not good. It's right that they learn to manage these things. If there are sponsors who provide new materials, they should be respected."
And Coppolillo's call
And this is the modus operandi Chicchi is ready to export it also with the more mature boys of #inEmiliaRomagna. This is a big, important adventure, especially since the team has a long-term project. It has become a continental country and the growth process may not stop there over time. At stake are important technical sponsors and a push that has a name and surname: Davide Cassani
«He made the first call to me Michael Coppolillo, To test the waters, Chicchi says, then Davide called. And when he calls... Davide explained to me that they needed another sporting director. Who wanted to grow by taking one step at a time, but in the right way."
But from what we've gathered, Above all, they needed a younger sports director, a guy who hadn't stopped racing for too long.A sports director who had somehow experienced the latest developments in the modern peloton and current cycling. Someone who knew how to navigate the world, too. Racing styles, training, and the use of new tools.
«In fact, the guys from #InEmiliaRomagna – says Chicchi – still see me as a former rider. Going out on bikes with them is important. It's another matter entirely. They open up, and when they're struggling, they tell you everything. I'd like to be able to pass on to them certain running dynamics, the seriousness, the competitive spirit."
Personal experiences
And on this last point, Chicchi tells an anecdote that speaks volumes about how you can learn from your mistakes—and pass them on to others.
«I was going fast – says Chicchi – but often even when I was second or third in the sprint I was still happy, I wasn't angry or hungryCipollini always told me: “You have to be more aggressive in certain situations.”
And it is from this technical and ethical heritage that Chicchi will be able to find the key to getting into the minds of the kids.
Francesco can't wait to get started. In the meantime, he's enjoying the "children" of cross-country skiing. This, too, is useful. And he's already got into character. It must be the influence of Mauro Bartoli, who follows his young athletes while running and instills in them an unparalleled determination, which Chicchi is also attached to the ribbons.
With #inEmiliaRomagna, he won't be on the fettucce but on the flagship. A flagship he'll share with Coppolillo, even though the main activity will be the same.
«We would have a dozen boys – says Chicchi – and yes, The idea is to do a single activity, but done well. This way the kids will be able to plan their season and their commitments. and don't run every Sunday. Of course, when we go to work Coppi and Bartali Depending on the situation, maybe the younger riders will do other smaller races this weekend. But I can guarantee we'll have an excellent calendar, including an international one. We have a Spanish sponsor and will be often in Spain.
«And then I see that they work seriously. There is a good trainer like Alessandro Malaguti. He also insists on the time trial issue. Montefiori for example, he did some tests on the position."
Enthusiasm and seriousness
"With the youngest cross-country skiers," he says enthusiastically, "we meet once a week for technical training. I don't have much experience in this discipline, but I'm learning and an external sporting director was what was needed to bring some order. Technique is important and it's not easy to get right because they come from different parts of Italy, but they all have their own training times table."
Chicchi, however, knows well that with the greats of #inEmiliaRomagna it will be a whole different story... And for this reason he can't wait to get started there too.
«We've already met once so far – concludes the 2002 U23 world champion – and we'll start working hard in the winter. In the meantime, I'll be here as long as cross-country skiing is around. In any case, returning to the road in the flagship is a serious commitment and for this reason I really don't think I will continue with RCS. Maybe I will follow the first event atUAE Tour, but we'll see. The kids come first. It's a great project, we really believe in it."
